Utah reported its worst day yet during the COVID-19 pandemic on Friday. Summit Country shattered its record of cases in a day as well.
2,987 new cases, 395 hospitalizations, and 17 deaths due to COVID-19 were reported by the Utah Department of Health on Friday, marking the state’s darkest day since the pandemic began in March.
Summit County reported a stunning 48 new infections as well, shattering the county’s previous single-day mark of 33 cases from one week ago. Wasatch County also recorded a record 31 cases.
According to the health department, there are currently 395 Utahns hospitalized with the disease and 75.6% of the state’s ICU beds are currently occupied. State health officials have repeatedly warned that if ICU beds do become full, hospital staff will have to ration care to both COVID and non-COVID patients.
Of the 17 deaths reported on Friday, all but one was over the age of 45. One man between the ages of 25 and 44 was also among the deceased.
The health department has clarified in the past that the reporting of deaths can take days, weeks, or even months as they are investigated. Friday’s report of 17 deaths does not necessarily mean 17 people have died from the disease in the last 24-hours.
Utah’s rolling seven-day average for positive tests also broke the 2,000 mark on Friday, and now sits at 2,033 per day. The seven-day average of positive laboratory tests is 19.7%.
Governor Gary Herbert announced on Friday that additional policies to combat the virus are expected in the coming days as he meets with government and health officials.
Summit and Wasatch County remain as high transmission areas in the state. Masks are required in public and gatherings are limited to under 10 people.