UTAH CORONAVIRUS: 2,408 new cases, 8 new deaths, 23,400 vaccines shipped, Saturday

(ABC4) – On Saturday, December 19, the Utah Department of Health reported a daily total of 2,408 additional cases of COVID-19 and 8 more deaths. A total of 248,970 Utahns have tested positive for COVID-19.

The state reported 1,633,896 people tested to date. This is an increase of 10,101 people tested from yesterday.

Utah is currently in Phase 1 of vaccine distribution. The state reports that 23,400 vaccines shipped and 3,648 vaccines have been administered.

RELATED: The Latest on the Coronavirus Vaccine in Utah

The rolling 7-day average for positive tests per day is 2,454. The rolling 7-day average of positive laboratory tests is 22.1%.

There are 559 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19. Total hospitalizations from the beginning of the outbreak are 9,968.

Utah Department of Health is reporting 1,148 total deaths.

Male, between 65-84, Salt Lake County resident, hospitalized at time of death
Male, between 65-84, Box Elder County resident, not hospitalized at time of death
Female, between 65-84, Salt Lake County resident, hospitalized at time of death
Male, older than 85, Utah County resident, not hospitalized at time of death
Male, between 45-64, Salt Lake County resident, hospitalized at time of death
Female, between 65-84, Salt Lake County resident, hospitalized at time of death
Female, between 45-64, Davis County resident, hospitalized at time of death
Female, between 45-64, Salt Lake County resident, hospitalized at time of death

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.