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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah's number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 4,004 on Wednesday, with 17 more deaths reported, according to the Utah Department of Health.
The state now estimates there are 62,319 active cases of the disease in Utah. The rolling seven-day average number of positive cases per day is now at 2,611, according to the health department. The positive test rate per day for that time period is now 22.6%. There are 571 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Utah, state data shows.
The new numbers indicate a 2% increase in positive cases since Tuesday. Of the 1,441,659 people tested for COVID-19 in Utah so far, 14% have tested positive for COVID-19. The health department reported an increase of 9,434 tests conducted as of Wednesday.
Of the 571 people hospitalized for COVID-19 in Utah, 202 are in intensive care units, according to the health department. About 82% of Utah's ICU beds are occupied, including about 86% of ICU beds at referral hospitals, the 16 facilities in the state that have the capability to provide the best COVID-19 care, according to the health department.
About 55% of non-ICU hospital beds are occupied in Utah as of Wednesday, according to state data.
The 17 deaths reported Wednesday were:
- A Utah County man who was between the ages of 65 and 84 and was a resident of a long-term care facility
- A Utah County man who was over the age of 85 and was hospitalized when he died
- Two Salt Lake County men who were between the ages of 65 and 84 and were hospitalized when they died
- A Box Elder County man who was between the ages of 65 and 84 and was a resident of a long-term care facility
- A Salt Lake County man who was over the age of 85 and was a resident of a long-term care facility
- A Salt Lake County man who was between the ages of 45 and 64 and was hospitalized when he died
- A Uintah County man who was over the age of 85 and was a resident of a long-term care facility
- A Davis County man who was between the ages of 65 and 84 and was hospitalized when he died
- A Washington County man who was over the age of 85 and was hospitalized when he died
- A Weber County man who was between the ages of 45 and 64 and was hospitalized when he died
- A Utah County man who was over the age of 85 and was a resident of a long-term care facility
- A Weber County man who was between the ages of 65 and 84 and was hospitalized when he died
- A Box Elder County woman who was between the ages of 45 and 64 and was hospitalized when she died
- A Weber County woman who was between the ages of 25 and 44 and was hospitalized when she died
- A Salt Lake County woman who was between the ages of 45 and 64 and was a resident of a long-term care facility
- A Utah County woman who was between the ages of 65 and 84 and was a resident of a long-term care facility
Wednesday's totals give Utah 202,220 total confirmed cases, with 8,423 total hospitalizations and 906 total deaths from the disease since the pandemic began. A total of 138,995 Utah COVID-19 cases are now considered recovered, state data shows.
There is not a COVID-19 news conference scheduled for Wednesday. Utah Gov. Gary Herbert is scheduled to hold media availability on Thursday at 11:30 a.m., according to his office.
Methodology:
Test results now include data from PCR tests and antigen tests. Positive COVID-19 test results are reported to the health department immediately after they are confirmed, but negative test results may not be reported for 24 to 72 hours.
The total number of cases reported by the Utah Department of Health each day includes all cases of COVID-19 since Utah's outbreak began, including those who are currently infected, those who have recovered from the disease, and those who have died.
Recovered cases are defined as anyone who was diagnosed with COVID-19 three or more weeks ago and has not died.
Deaths reported by the state typically occurred two to seven days prior to when they are reported, according to the health department. Some deaths may be from even further back, especially if the person is from Utah but has died in another state.
The health department reports both confirmed and probable COVID-19 case deaths per the case definition outlined by the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists. The death counts are subject to change as case investigations are completed.
For deaths that are reported as COVID-19 deaths, the person would not have died if they did not have COVID-19, according to the health department.
Data included in this story primarily reflects the state of Utah as a whole. For more localized data, visit your local health district's website.
More information about Utah's health guidance levels is available at coronavirus.utah.gov/utah-health-guidance-levels.
Information is from the Utah Department of Health and coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts. For more information on how the Utah Department of Health compiles and reports COVID-19 data, visit coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts and scroll down to the "Data Notes" section at the bottom of the page.
