UTAH CORONAVIRUS: 1,716 cases added as Phase 2 of vaccinations announced

(ABC4) – On Monday, December 28, the Utah Department of Health reported a total of 1,716 new cases of COVID-19.

There are five new deaths.

A total of 266,590 Utahns have tested positive for COVID-19.

The state reported 1,698,105 people tested to date. This is an increase of 4,976 people tested since Sunday.

The state reports 17,543 vaccines administered.

The rolling 7-day average for positive tests per day is 1,969. The rolling 7-day average of positive laboratory tests is 24.4%.

There are 498 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19. Total hospitalizations from the beginning of the outbreak are 10,643.

Utah Department of Health is reporting 1,219 total deaths.

• Female, older than 85, Salt Lake County resident, long-term care facility resident
• Female, between 45-64, Utah County resident, hospitalized at time of death
• Female, between 45-64, Davis County resident, long-term care facility resident
• Male, between 65-84, Duchesne County resident, hospitalized at time of death
• Female, older than 85, Washington County resident, long-term care facility resident 

The state of Utah has defined its new transmission index guidance system:

The COVID-19 Transmission Index is a balanced approach intended to protect communities. It represents the collaborative work of state and local public health officials, the Governor’s Office, legislative leaders, the hospital industry, and business leaders. 

The transmission index clarifies the public health metrics used to determine which counties are placed in which transmission level. Counties will be placed in one of three transmission levels: High, Moderate, or Low. These levels correspond directly to case rates, positivity rates, and ICU utilization.

Data will be analyzed weekly; counties will be placed into a transmission level depending solely on what information their data shows. Changes from a lower level to a higher level may occur weekly. Changes from a higher level to a lower level may occur every 14 days at a minimum when thresholds are met.