SALT LAKE CITY – Intermountain Healthcare, the region’s largest healthcare provider, announced on Friday that carers, patients and visitors must continue to wear masks, even after the state-wide mask mandate was lifted on April 10.
‘There was a mask requirement in our hospitals, in our clinic facilities, before any government assignment. We did it because masks protect patients, protect caregivers and protect visitors, simply and simply, ‘said Dr. Eddie Stenehjem, Intermountain Healthcare doctor, on Friday.
He said the policy continues because “we feel it is our duty” to take precautions against the spread of COVID-19, especially among patients who are more vulnerable due to their medical conditions, but added that the risk level is evaluated weekly word.
‘We will withdraw it if we think it is safe for all involved. The reason we do this is out of abundance of caution. Stenehjem said.
Kathy Wilets, a spokeswoman for the University of Utah, also continues with her mask requirement after April 10th.
“Regardless of current guidelines, provincial or city guidelines, all patients, companions and staff must continue to wear an approved face mask (a well-secured paper or cloth mask that covers the mouth and nose) when entering U. of U. Health Facilities , and at all times in U. of U. Health Facilities, ”she said in a statement.
Wilets said the University of Utah Health “is encouraged by the increased efforts to vaccinate COVID-19, as well as the recent decline in daily COVID-19 cases in Utah. However, data suggest that the risk of spreading COVID-19 is still a major concern and that one of the best ways to continually protect each other by wearing masks. ”
Several grocery chain stores, including Harmons and Smith’s, have announced that employees and customers must remain masked after the state mandate is lifted.
The 2021 legislature passed a bill setting an end date of April 10 for the mask mandate introduced last December, as well as other COVID-19 restrictions once the state receives 1.63 million vaccine doses, enough for 70% of the population, as long as the number of cases and hospitalization rates for the virus remain low.
Government Spencer Cox said Thursday that he does not see the bill “much upside down,” but he has negotiated with lawmakers who claim they have a veto majority to end the mask mandate immediately during the recent legislative session. April 10 date.
He said he was concerned that he would “lose the respect of the legislature and that I do not work that way,” if he vetoed the bill after reaching an agreement with lawmakers. Cox has until next Thursday to sign, veto or allow legislation passed last session to become law without his signature.
The governor hoped to wait until the state reached the 1.63 million mark for vaccine doses before relinquishing the mask mandate to ensure Utah was closer to herd immunity against COVID-19. However, it takes at least two weeks after the final dose of a vaccine before someone can be considered fully vaccinated against the virus.
Stenehjem said his advice is to keep wearing masks around others, especially indoors when it is not possible to social distance. This also applies to children, the doctor said, because they are not immune, although infection rates are lower and vaccines, at least until the fall, are not available to anyone under 16 years of age.
‘I can tell you I’m going to wear a mask on April 11th and go ahead. “People will have to make their own call about this,” he said, adding that he expects many Utahns to want to protect themselves and those around them. ‘Masks have become a kind of social norm at this point. People are comfortable with it. ”
According to Stenehjem, the rate may have dropped, but it is still high, and more Utahns need to be vaccinated, citing the spread of more easily transmitted virus variants that have forced all the closures in Britain, Italy and other countries, as well as those in California and California has developed. other parts of the United States.
‘I really think next month is a time to really stay focused on the things we’ve done and that we know work. We know that masks work. We know that reducing your contacts works, ” the doctor said, encouraging Utahns to keep it at least until the end of April.
At that stage “the weather is beautiful outside. You can hang out outside. We have universal vaccine available. ‘In a month, we’re in a great place to really think about,’ OK, how can we really open up, ” he said. “We did it for a year. We can do it another month. ‘
The governor announced Thursday that all Utahns are eligible to be vaccinated against COVID-19 from next Wednesday, more than a week earlier than planned. He acknowledged, however, that it could still take weeks to make an appointment and said Utahns should be patient.
Currently, vaccines are available for Utahs 50 and older, those with an extensive list of specified medical conditions, health care workers, first responders, residents and staff for long-term care facilities, and K-12 teachers for school staff.
Utah’s latest COVID-19 numbers include 17 additional deaths
The Utah Department of Health on Friday reported 447 new COVID-19 cases and 17 additional deaths due to the virus, including 12 that occurred before Feb. 19. That brings the total number of coronavirus cases in the state to 380,787 and the death toll from Utah from the virus to 2,058.
A total of 1111185 doses of vaccines were administered in Utah, a daily increase of 31.146.
The seven-day moving average for positive tests is 474 per day, and 5,967 more Utahns have taken COVID-19 tests since Thursday. A total of 15,565 tests were administered. It sets the running average of seven days for percentage positivity of tests at 4.2% if all test results are included and 8.3% if multiple tests were excluded by an individual during the past 90 days.
Currently, 176 people have been admitted to hospital with COVID-19. The deaths reported on Friday are:
- A Cache County man, over 85, resident for long-term care.
- A Cache County woman, between the ages of 25 and 44, was hospitalized at the time of her death.
- A Davis County man, 65-84, has been admitted to the hospital.
- A Davis County man, 45-64, has been admitted to the hospital.
- An Iron County man, 65-84, has been admitted to the hospital.
- A Salt Lake County man, 19-24, has been admitted to the hospital.
- A Salt Lake County man, over 85, resident for long-term care.
- Three women in Salt Lake County, 65-84, were all admitted to the hospital.
- A Salt Lake County man, 65-84, has been admitted to the hospital.
- A man from Tooele County, aged 85, has been admitted to hospital.
- A Uintah County woman, 45-64, has been admitted to the hospital.
- Two Washington County men, 65-84, were both admitted to the hospital.
- A Washington County woman, 65-84, has been admitted to the hospital.
- A Weber County woman, 65-84, was admitted to the hospital.