The Utah Department of Health reported 17 new COVID-19 deaths across the state on Friday. Despite the higher number of deaths, average case numbers across the state, including those in Summit and Wasatch Counties continued to decline.
Friday’s 17 deaths brings the statewide death toll from COVID-19 to 1,907 since the start of the pandemic last march. All of Friday’s deaths were individuals over the age of 45 and none were from either Summit or Wasatch Counties.
The Health Department also reported 651 new cases across the state, with
Summit County accounting for 13 and Wasatch County 10. The seven-day average for positive tests across the state is now 694 per day.
The statewide average for the percent of people over people tests is now 12.3% and the tests over tests average is 5.6%.
State and county infection numbers are currently at their lowest since early September 2020 and have been steadily declining since early January.
According to the Health Department, there are currently 231 Utahns hospitalized with the disease, an increase of 10 people from Thursday. Statewide referral center ICUs are now at 76.6% capacity.
Governor Spencer Cox announced on Thursday that vaccine eligibility has now been opened up for individuals ages 16 and older who have specific comorbidities. A full list of eligible comorbidities can be found here. All people over the age of 65 are also eligible for the vaccine.
As of Friday, over 682,000 vaccine doses have been administered, with just under 240,000 people having received their second and final dose.
