SALT LAKE CITY – Government Spencer Cox, Utah, announced Thursday that admission to the COVID-19 vaccine will be extended to Utahs 50 and older, as well as state residents with more comorbidities, starting Monday.
In addition to the Utahns age of 50 years and older, residents with type 1 or 2 diabetes, a body mass index of more than 30, or chronic kidney disease may also be eligible for the vaccine.
“It’s a big addition to the suitability,” Cox said.
After the Salt Lake and Davis counties spent months at Utah’s highest level for COVID-19 on Thursday, the governor also announced. This means that the restrictions in both provinces will be weakened as the infection rates continue to decline in the past month.
For provinces with a moderate level of transmission, it is recommended that social gatherings be limited to 25 people or less. Masks are still needed for public indoor establishments and for outdoor establishments when social distance is not possible.
For restaurants in moderate provinces for transfer level, distance of 6 feet is still required between parties in waiting areas. Masks are required in restaurants for customers unless they are actively eating or drinking. In pubs, customers must wear masks if they are within 6 feet of another party, and must wear them unless they are eating or drinking.
Government Spencer Cox, Utah, provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic at a news conference Thursday morning. Lieutenant Government Deidre Henderson and the State Epidemiologist of the Department of Health, dr. Angela Dunn, also spoke during the event.
Watch the repeat of the news conference below.
New cases COVID-19
According to the Utah Department of Health, Utah’s COVID-19 cases increased by 611 on Thursday, with 12 more deaths and nearly 26,000 more vaccinations. Seven of the deaths occurred before February 11, but are still being investigated by the state medical examiner’s office, according to the health department.
According to the Department of Health, the average number of positive cases of seven days per day is now 558. The positive test rate per day for the period reported using the ‘people on people’ method is now 10%. The positive test rate per day of seven days, calculated using the “test over test” method, is now 4.8%.
There are 203 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Utah, state data shows. A total of 785,523 vaccines were administered in the state, up from 741,297 on Wednesday.
The total Thursday total gives 373,319 confirmed cases in Utah, with 14,816 hospitalizations and 1,965 total deaths due to the disease.
This story will be updated.
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