Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah has already eased COVID-19 restrictions and transitioned to a lower risk status, but high-risk individuals should still be on alert. That’s the advice from a state commission as it aims to protect the most vulnerable people. There’s now a new resource to help those people.
As Utah transitions to a lower risk status, it is critical that we don’t spread the virus to the most vulnerable among us. So, the state has a targeted plan and a new hotline to help them.
“For those who are at high risk for severe disease due to COVID-19, it is still important to take extra precautions,” said Dr. Angela Dunn, state epidemiologist.
If you fall into a high-risk category, or care for somebody who does, you should still take extreme precaution to avoid the virus.
“I think the number one key is making sure that those who are in the high-risk group know that they’re in the high-risk group,” said State Senator Dan Hemmert, co-chair of the Public Health and Economic Emergency Commission.
He pointed out that it is just as important for those who care for high-risk individuals to take the same precautions.
The Public Health and Economic Emergency Commission last week adopted a targeted plan to help those who are most vulnerable.
Hemmert said the data now suggest most people will recover, and that the greatest danger of grave illness lies mainly with the elderly and those with underlying health conditions.
Related:
Utah sees 111 new cases of COVID-19, 1 new death
Monday's totals give Utah 6,362 total confirmed cases, with 517 total hospitalizations and 68 total deaths from the disease.Just because the rest of the state has moved into the orange zone, “that doesn’t necessarily apply to the high risk group until we feel like we have really good treatment for COVID-19, and or a vaccine for COVID-19,” he said.
One of the state senator’s parents is elderly and has diabetes. So, they dropped off dinner for his parents yesterday instead of stopping in for a visit. They want to make sure they do not endanger vulnerable people in their family.
More than 90% of the people who have died from COVID-19 in Utah were 65 or older, in a high-risk category, or both. In addition, 76% of the people who have died had at least one underlying health risk factor.
High-risk populations and those who care for them should not ease off of any of the precautions they have been taking.
“They absolutely need to stay with a heightened level of alertness,” said Hemmert. “They shouldn’t be going out. They shouldn’t be shopping. They shouldn’t be going to the stores.”
If you fall into a high-risk category, or care for somebody who does, and you need help with taking care of meals, grocery shopping, or medication delivery, the state now has a hotline at 1-877-424-4640.
That line is open Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is answered by representatives from Department of Human Services who have resources for the high-risk population.
“Communication and education are the number one things we can be doing,” said Hemmert.
Submit Your Questions:
What questions do you have about the COVID-19 outbreak?
Symptoms? Travel? Local response? Supplies to keep around? Click on the link above to tell us what questions you have about COVID-19, and we'll do our best to answer.
