Coronavirus updates: New virus cases decline in the US and experts credit masks

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SALT LAKE CITY — Here are the latest updates on COVID-19 from Utah and around the world.

If you’re on a mobile device and can’t see the updates below, click here.

Tuesday, 10:36 pm

Salt Lake County officials say 89% of residents wearing masks properly; vaccine update expected soon

A new report from Salt Lake County finds that nearly 90% of county residents are properly wearing face coverings in public about two months into the county’s mandate.In addition, the county’s health department director said health officials are expecting an update on a possible COVID-19 vaccine from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention as early as this week with the possibility of that vaccine being available for some Utahns by the end of the year.The findings of the report and other COVID-19 updates were released during a Salt Lake County Council televideo conference Tuesday afternoon.— Carter Williams, KSL.com

Tuesday, 09:41 pm

Despite unanimous City Council vote, Provo mayor says she will veto mask mandate

Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi says she intends to veto a mask mandate unanimously passed by the Provo City Council Tuesday night.After hours of fine tuning, the council passed an ordinance that would require “all individuals living within or visiting Provo, Utah, to wear face coverings while in indoor or outdoor areas accessible to the public or in attendance at large gatherings.”“The vast consensus is that masks help,” said Councilman Bill Fillmore. “Even if we feel that maybe they don’t help me that much in terms of preventing me from getting the virus, it does help other people. … Call it an act of charity.”— Kyle Dunphey, KSL

Tuesday, 08:05 pm

New virus cases decline in the US and experts credit masks

The number of Americans newly diagnosed with the coronavirus is falling — a development experts say most likely reflects more mask-wearing but also insufficient testing — even as the disease continues to claim nearly 1,000 lives in the U.S. each day.About 43,000 new cases are being reported daily across the country, down 21% from early August, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. While the U.S., India and Brazil still have the highest numbers of new cases in the world, the downward trend is encouraging.“It’s profoundly hopeful news,” said Dr. Monica Gandhi, an infectious-diseases expert at the University of California, San Francisco, who credits the American public’s growing understanding of how the virus spreads, more mask-wearing and, possibly, an increasing level of immunity.— Associated Press

Tuesday, 02:13 pm

403 more COVID-19 cases, 7 deaths reported in Utah Tuesday

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 403 from Monday, with seven more deaths reported, but a lab reporting issue is still affecting the state's data, according to the Utah Department of Health.The health department estimates that there are 7,842 active cases of the disease in Utah. The rolling seven-day average number of positive cases per day is now at 370, according to the health department. The positive test rate per day for that time period is now 9.3%.For a full analysis of Utah's daily COVID-19 numbers, click here. —Jacob Klopfenstein, KSL.com

Tuesday, 02:11 pm

Mountain Creek 7th graders start early to ease middle school transition

Thousands of Jordan School District students are finally back on campus after leaving the classroom in March, and seventh graders at Mountain Creek Middle School got an extra warm welcome Monday.This year, nearly 58,000 students opted for in-person learning, while another 11,000 chose to learn from home.At Mountain Creek Middle School, seventh graders were invited to come to campus a day early, since this will be a new school for the incoming class.—By Ashley Moser, KSL TV

Tuesday, 02:05 pm

'Everybody was pretty heartbroken': Utah's Britain Covey describes emotions following canceled fall play

The only thing missing for Britain Covey, the starting slot receiver at the University of Utah — and it’s a big one — is a college football season. It’s the main reason he accepted a scholarship offer to the university.At this point in the year, Covey would normally be weeks into Camp Kyle. He and a talented group of receivers — arguably its best — would be putting in the finishing touches to a fall camp that would eventually come to a close. The team would transition to in-season mode ahead of a formerly-scheduled kickoff against Utah’s in-state rival and Covey's hometown university.—Sean Walker, KSL.com

Tuesday, 08:21 am

Davis School District reopens with hybrid schedule for all students

Another round of students are heading back to the classroom for the first time in months – including the Davis School District, which is the second-biggest district in Utah.The district is doing things a little differently than other districts, with students using an at home/in school alternating schedule Monday through Thursday. All students will be learning remotely on Fridays.The board of education unanimously approved the schedule earlier in August as some parents protested to have students in class for five days a week.“Our kids get to continue learning, they’re building those important relationships, and they’re also keeping themselves, our teachers and our entire community safe,” said instructional coach and parent Sarah Jones.School board members did acknowledge the hybrid schedule could be changed later in the year.— Felicia Martinez, KSL TV

Tuesday, 07:05 am

UN: Global tourism lost $320 billion in 5 months from virus

The tourism global industry has been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic, with $320 billion lost in exports in the first five months of the year and more than 120 million jobs at risk, the U.N. chief said Tuesday.Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a policy briefing and video address that tourism is the third-largest export sector of the global economy, behind fuels and chemicals, and in 2019 it accounted for 7% of global trade.But the U.N. chief said that in the first five months of 2020, because of the pandemic, international tourist arrivals decreased by more than half and earnings plummeted.— Associated Press

Tuesday, 07:01 am

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases increased by 249 on Monday, with five more deaths reported.

Postmaster General Louis DeJoy refused requests to restore mail-sorting machines or mailboxes removed from service as part of sweeping operational changes at the Postal Service.

University of Hong Kong scientists claim to have the first evidence of someone being reinfected with the virus that causes COVID-19.

There were 16 positive results among more than 3,200 students tested for COVID-19 prior to moving into University of Utah residence halls.

In Washington County, some people were calling for “No Mask Monday” to protest mandatory masks in schools, but many students did not like the idea.

Read all of yesterday's updates here.

Coronavirus updates: New virus cases decline in the US and experts credit masks

By KSL Staff | Updated - Aug. 25, 2020 at 10:54 p.m. | Posted - Aug. 25, 2020 at 7:26 a.m.

(Ben Garver, The Berkshire Eagle via AP)

Salt Lake County officials say 89% of residents wearing masks properly; vaccine update expected soon

Despite unanimous City Council vote, Provo mayor says she will veto mask mandate

New virus cases decline in the US and experts credit masks

403 more COVID-19 cases, 7 deaths reported in Utah Tuesday

Mountain Creek 7th graders start early to ease middle school transition

'Everybody was pretty heartbroken': Utah's Britain Covey describes emotions following canceled fall play

Davis School District reopens with hybrid schedule for all students

UN: Global tourism lost $320 billion in 5 months from virus

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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Coronavirus updates: New virus cases decline in the US and experts credit masks

By KSL Staff | Updated - Aug. 25, 2020 at 10:54 p.m. | Posted - Aug. 25, 2020 at 7:26 a.m.

(Ben Garver, The Berkshire Eagle via AP)

Salt Lake County officials say 89% of residents wearing masks properly; vaccine update expected soon

Despite unanimous City Council vote, Provo mayor says she will veto mask mandate

New virus cases decline in the US and experts credit masks

403 more COVID-19 cases, 7 deaths reported in Utah Tuesday

Mountain Creek 7th graders start early to ease middle school transition

'Everybody was pretty heartbroken': Utah's Britain Covey describes emotions following canceled fall play

Davis School District reopens with hybrid schedule for all students

UN: Global tourism lost $320 billion in 5 months from virus

ICYMI: Catch up on coronavirus developments from yesterday

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FDA approves Moderna's next-generation COVID vaccine for adults 65 and older

China suggests COVID-19 originated in US in response to Trump allegation

Dixie High star lacrosse athlete loses his arm in accident, but not his spirit to compete

KSL Weather Forecast