Utah recorded another record number of COVID-19 cases Friday, one day after 21 counties in the state were designated as ‘high’ transmission areas.
“Now is not the time to let down your guard,” Governor Gary Herbert said in an email on Friday. A record 1,960 new COVID-19 cases were announced by the Utah Department of Health.
Summit County reported 29 new cases one day after it and 20 other Utah counties were classified as ‘high’ transmission areas for the virus. The county has seen a sharp increase in cases over the past few days, now averaging 412.6 active cases per 100,000 people.
University of Utah Health also announced on Friday their ICU is 99% full. Statewide, 75.7% of ICU beds are occupied. There are currently 313 Utahns hospitalized with COVID-19.
Governor Herbert expressed just how urgent the situation is.
"Up until now, our hospitals have been able to provide good care to all COVID and non-COVID patients who need it,” Herbert said in an emailed statement. ”But today we stand on the brink. If Utahns do not take serious steps to limit group gatherings and wear masks, our healthcare providers will not have the ability to provide quality care for everyone who needs it."
Under a ‘high’ classification, masks are required in public and gatherings of over 10 people are not permitted unless social distancing can be guaranteed. Enforcement, however, is up to local authorities.
Utah’s 7-day rolling average of cases now sits at 1,355 per day. The state’s positive test rate is 15.8% and the mortality rate is currently 0.6%.
