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0000017b-652b-d50a-a3ff-f7efb02e0000KPCW's COVID-19 news coverage for Summit County and Wasatch County, Utah. 0000017b-652b-d50a-a3ff-f7efb02f0000You can also visit the Utah Department of Health, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization websites for additional information.

Utah Health Department Reports 51 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Statewide, 15 In Summit County

As of Tuesday afternoon, the Utah Department of Health reports there are 51 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Utah, with 15 in Summit County. 

State Epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn says the state still has a limited testing capacity due to a shortage of supplies and personal protective equipment for health care workers. Labs have tested nearly 900 Utahns, and 5.5% of those have tested positive. Dunn says that rate is lower than other states with widespread community transmission.

Many people have expressed frustration over not being able to get tested. Dunn says if the symptoms are mild and the patient isn’t in a high-risk group, being tested doesn’t change the care a patient receives.

“All it’s going to do is prevent additional cases of COVID-19, and you can help prevent additional cases without even getting tested," Dunn said. "You can do that by self-isolating if you have symptoms.”

Dunn explained that when a positive case has been confirmed, local health departments then follow up with the patient and everyone they’ve possibly had direct contact with since they began experiencing symptoms. With the increasing number of cases in Summit County, Dunn says the Utah Department of Health is working closely with the Summit County Health Department to identify any gaps in the county’s response, and whether they need additional medical or funding resources from the state.

“We are in constant contact with them and working with them to fill their needs," Dunn said.

Because the virus is new, Dunn says there’s a lot that officials don’t know about it. Dunn says federal health officials estimate 50% of the U.S. population could test positive without social distancing measures. But Dunn doesn’t expect the state to issue any travel restrictions at this time.

“I’m not specifically aware of that, and I know we haven’t been talking about issuing inter-state travel bans within Utah as a potential for social distancing,” Dunn said.

The Utah Department of Health provides daily updates on the COVID-19 outbreak. Visit kpcw.org for more COVID-19 news coverage.

Emily Means hadn’t intended to be a journalist, but after two years of studying chemistry at the University of Utah, she found her fit in the school’s communication program. Diving headfirst into student media opportunities, Means worked as a host, producer and programming director for K-UTE Radio as well as a news writer and copy editor at The Daily Utah Chronicle.
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