The Utah Department of Health recorded 2,043 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday as the state continued its downward trend in case counts over the past week.
It appears statewide health orders put in place earlier this month that included a mask mandate and a limit to social gatherings are working, at least for the moment.
Saturday’s mark of just over 2,000 new cases drops the state’s seven-day rolling average of positive tests to 2,575, the fifth straight day the statewide average has decreased. One week ago, the state’s rolling average sat at 3,238.
The seven-day average of positive laboratory tests is now at 21.4%, a tenth of a percent higher than Friday, but that number has also been declining since November 10th.
Summit County recorded 28 new cases on Saturday. At the time of this report, Wasatch County had not updated their numbers.
Despite the seemingly good news, state government and health officials urged a responsible Thanksgiving holiday, but stopped short of mandating limited gatherings. A spike in cases from the holiday, if there is one, will likely not be seen until at least sometime next week.
The Health Department also reported 14 new COVID-19 deaths. No new deaths were recorded in Summit or Wasatch County. In total, 863 Utahns have died from the disease.
Other encouraging news on Saturday included the statewide ICU bed capacity dipping below 85% and is now at 81.7%. Health officials consider 85% ICU capacity to be effectively full once staff and patient rotations are taken into account, as well as sanitation and PPE regulations. COVID-19 referral center ICU beds are now 85.1% full.
Governor Gary Herbert’s statewide mask order remains in place throughout the state.
