COVID-19 data notes and methodology

A phial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine at the Royal Victoria Hospital, in Belfast, Tuesday Dec. 8, 2020. The United Kingdom, one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus, is beginning its vaccination campaign, a key step toward eventually ending the pandemic.

(Liam McBurney, Pool via AP, file)


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SALT LAKE CITY — The following are data notes and methodology for KSL.com's COVID-19 reporting:

  • Test results 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.
  • Referral hospitals are the 16 Utah hospitals with the capability to provide the best COVID-19 health care.
  • 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.
  • The "people over people" method for the seven-day average positive test rate is calculated by dividing the number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 by the total number of people tested. The "test over test" method is calculated by dividing the total number of positive tests by the total number of tests administered.
  • Data included in KSL.com's daily COVID-19 coverage 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.

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