Wasatch County Council met again in a special meeting to hear an update from the county health department and discuss impacts of the COVID-19 virus on the community.
Among items discussed at the Tuesday evening special meeting was the 2nd case of COVID-19 in Wasatch County that was confirmed on Tuesday afternoon. The patient was described as being between 18-35 years old and was linked with a case in Park City. The case is not connected to Wasatch County’s first case a Wasatch High Student. As a result of that first case, all Wasatch High School students and staff have been directed to quarantine, meaning stay indoors and isolate, until March 26. Family members of students and staff do not need to quarantine unless the student or staff member exhibits symptoms.
Both Wasatch County COVID-19 patients are recovering at home, indicating that they are well enough not to be recovering at the hospital. Wasatch County Health Department Director Randall Probst noted that there will be more cases in the county.
“We don't want the public overly concerned when we announce additional cases,” Probst continued. “We know there are going to be additional cases. We don't want people sitting by just hoping another case doesn't happen today, or that’s going to be stressful. There are going to be additional cases. What’s important is what we're doing about it and what we're doing to slow that process. The efforts that we do individually and collectively is what's going to make a difference.”
Probst noted in other good news low interest loans for struggling businesses will soon be available through the U.S. Small Business Administration
“The small business loan has been approved federally and it’s indicated it’ll be a fairly generous loan options and available to businesses that are struggling and that has been approved,” Probst said.
Probst also discussed the governor’s order issued Tuesday evening. The governor’s order suspends all eateries from offering dine-in service for two weeks, beginning Wednesday at midnight. Curbside pickup, drive-in and delivery options are still available. Wasatch County issued similar recommendations on Monday; Probst explained the order supersedes the county’s recommendations.
“It is a legal binding order to all of us,” Probst explained. “We’re expected to comply with this. Ours was a recommendation yesterday. With the word should, instead of shall, this one is an actual order from the governor. The governor acknowledges the impact this is going to have on all of us, including in the businesses. But in the best interest of what's happening it’s clearly felt that this is the next step.”
Additionally, the governor’s order is restricting gatherings to 10 people. Wasatch County Councilmember Marilyn Crittenden asked County Epidemiologist Chris Smoot if that includes gatherings at a home.
“So that's a private gathering, since it's in your home,” Smoot answered. “So, I don’t think we’re in the business of wanting to regulate that.”
“So, we’re not stopping people from having people into their own homes if they want to come.” Crittenden said.
"But we probably would still caution people, particularly if there are people in the vulnerable populations for this illness, find safer ways to visit,” Smoot continued. “We don’t want to abandon people either. We don’t want to leave Grandma at home and never talk to her. But if there's a way we can support her, maybe not face to face with my toddler or my kid that has germs all over, right? Or something like that then we can do that. But as far as the number applying to a home, I don’t believe that’s the case. It's just for public gatherings.”
The county library and recreation center are closed. Almost all services offered at the County Administration building have been limited to online or over the phone. Those filing to run for county seats are still required to have someone in person to turn in paperwork to the county clerk by Thursday.
Wasatch County Chair Danny Goode emphasized again that critical services like water, power, sewer, and trash collection will not be impacted by the virus. He also encouraged residents to shop responsibly, not overbuying as grocery supply chains are still operational.
The entirety of the meeting can be viewed here.
County specific information can also be viewed here.
