On Friday, the Utah Department of Health press update covered a variety of issues related to COVID-19 and its progression in the state. The social distancing order remains in place until case counts peak in Utah.
Utah State Epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn says they’re encouraged that the COVID-19 trends in Utah are like other countries in that most cases are mild.
“And so that’s encouraging, and I think it’s even more important that people with mild symptoms understand that they still could spread it to those vulnerable populations who are at risk for severe disease. Mild symptoms refer to somebody who is ill but does not need to seek medical care for their symptoms. They might just have a slight cough, a mild fever, a sore throat and they can usually take over the counter medications to ease their symptoms. And they don’t seek out medical care from a health care provider.”
Dunn says people could have the symptoms for up to two weeks and that 10 % of those who get the disease end up needing hospital care.
Social distancing guidelines will remain in effect until a decline in the number of cases occurs.
“In public health and epidemiology, we really look for that consistent decline in cases before we start loosening up social distancing measures. So, that’s why every day we’re looking at the number of cases, where they are, the rate of increase. And trying to project when that will start decreasing. We’ll wait until it starts decreasing before we’ll recommend lifting of social distancing measures.
Progress in treating the disease is being made with research and trials which are underway nationally and in Salt Lake City.
“There are scientists across the country and specifically here at the University and at Intermountain, doing controlled trials to determine what treatment is best for COVID-19. There ae several anti-viral’s and anti-biotics that are out there that have shown some promise in some small trials and we’re working hard to progress those trials so we can understand what is best to get treatment. And whenever we get any results, we will certainly share it with this team.”
There is currently no restriction on domestic travel and Dunn says they do not plan to limit travel to Summit County despite the stay-at-home order that took effect Friday.
“So, the question is about the stay at home orders with Summit County and specifically the concern that a lot of them are second homes, and how do we enforce the stay-at-home order. So, those orders are issued by the local jurisdiction, so the enforcement authority does lie within Summit County. We re here to support them in their decisions but they are responsible for enforcing those orders how they see fit.”
Summit County Deputy Health Director, Phil Bondurant says the order strongly encourages second homeowners not to travel to Summit County, stating the infection rate per capita mirrors New York, Louisiana and Colorado. Non-resident homeowners are exempt from the order directing visitors to return home immediately, no later than April 1.
He says if a second homeowner travels to Summit County in the next 30 days, they are subject to all restrictions outlined in the order.
Jack Meersman with the Utah EMS committee, representing agencies across the state says the 911 system is overwhelmed with COVID related calls.
Emergency responders will no longer approach a home as a team but will send one provider to the door to assess the COVID-19 situation in the household. Depending on the response, they may wear protective equipment as they deal with the medical emergency.
