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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah saw its highest number of new daily COVID-19 cases in nearly a year with 3,303 reported on Wednesday.
During the last week of 2020 and the first week of 2021, the state saw cases skyrocket above 4,500. But the last time cases rose above 3,000 in a single day was on Jan. 5.
"This large number is likely the result of a combination of the omicron variant and holiday events," officials with the Utah Department of Health said in a statement.
On Tuesday, the number of new cases was 1,816.
"These cases affect all Utah residents. We need the help of all Utahns to minimize the disruptions of this virus in our communities. If you feel sick, stay home, and get tested. If you attend a large indoor gathering, we recommend wearing a mask to protect you and those around you," officials added.
The rolling, seven-day average for new cases is now 1,571 per day, and the average positive rate of those tested is 12%, the Utah Department of Health said. That is a jump from the previous Wednesday, Dec. 22, when the rolling average was 981. Last week marked the first time in several months that number had fallen below 1,000.
Breakthrough cases
Just under 1,500 — just over 45% — of the cases Wednesday were "breakthrough," meaning people who had been fully vaccinated more than two weeks before testing positive with the disease. Two breakthrough deaths were also reported. That brings the total breakthrough cases since vaccines became available to 61,848, and breakthrough deaths now total 349.
"Yes, we have started to see more breakthrough cases. The percentage of cases with breakthrough infections increased about 6% last week compared to the week prior," said Keegan McCaffrey, epidemiologist with the Utah Department of Health.
"While we are still learning a lot about omicron, additional breakthroughs are expected as omicron spreads in Utah because this variant is better at evading immunity from both vaccine and previous infection," he added.
He said the state is also seeing an increase in reinfections. But vaccines do still offer "powerful protection" against severe disease caused by the coronavirus, according to McCaffrey, who pointed to statistics of unvaccinated versus vaccinated residents in the state.
In the last 28 days, unvaccinated Utahns were 10 times more likely to be hospitalized and 17 times more likely to die from COVID-19 than people who are fully vaccinated, he noted.
"Having a booster has been shown to provide even better protection against COVID-19 infection and severe disease. Given the recent increase in cases and what we know about omicron, it's important that Utahns take the following actions to protect themselves and the people around them," McCaffrey said.
He reiterated the health department's current guidance, urging residents to get vaccinated and/or booster shots, wear masks in public, stay home and get tested if they feel sick, and avoid crowded and poorly-ventilated areas.
Vaccine appointments can be scheduled at coronavirus.utah.gov/vaccine-distribution/.
Other data
Throughout the state, 442 patients are currently hospitalized with the coronavirus — a decrease of 11 compared to the previous Wednesday.
The state reported that 15,338 people got tested for the coronavirus since Tuesday, and 27,774 total tests were administered across the state.
Health care workers administered 12,077 additional vaccine doses since the previous day's report, bringing total doses given in Utah to 4,526,915. That includes booster shots.
School-age children accounted for 333 of the new cases on Wednesday — 120 cases were ages 5-10, 59 cases were 11-13, and 154 cases were 14-17.
The latest deaths include:
- A Salt Lake County woman between the ages of 65 and 84, who was a long-term care facility resident when she died.
- A Salt Lake County man, 65-84, hospitalized.
- A Tooele County man, 45-64, unknown if hospitalized.
- A Tooele County woman, 65-84, hospitalized.
- A Utah County woman, 65-84, hospitalized.
- A Utah County woman, 65-84, unknown if hospitalized.
- A Weber County man, older than 85, hospitalized.
