SALT LAKE CITY – Doctors at the University of Utah Health predict an increase in COVID-19 cases in Utah after a steady decline since January. This comes as the state approaches the two million mark of vaccines administered.
At Salt Palace, Bobby Hansen and Shalyse Olney arrived Tuesday for their final vaccination dose.
The friends are among the 51 percent of Utahns older than 16 who received at least one dose.
“I want to embrace people again. I miss my family and friends and I am ready to return to this normal world, ”said Olney.
Yet Utah University doctors believe COVID cases will increase across the country in the coming weeks.
“This virus is really opportunistic,” said Erin Clouse, manager of Utah Health’s strategic involvement.
Already, the provinces of Weber, Morgan, Davis and Wasatch are seeing small outbreaks.
“It’s worrying when we see it in a few counties. It means there’s a bit of an outbreak in the rest of the state,” said Dr. Russell Vinik, chief of the University of Utah’s medical operation.
Vinik said 40 percent of the positive tests could be traced back to the highly contagious British variant in Utah.
“Viruses can spread faster than we are able to vaccinate people. “I expect the cases to increase because the virus spreads and mutates,” Vinik said.
Nationally, Utah ranks 18th when it comes to new cases and positivity testing, and 15th in new COVID-19 deaths, according to the latest data from the CDC.
So, what can be done? Doctors confirm what they have always said: still wear a mask, keep social distance and be vaccinated.
“I feel more confident, of course in myself, but I also know that I do not influence others around me or those I care about,” Olney said.