(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) University of Utah Health begins administering the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as pharmacist Chanah Gallagher prepares for Christy Mulder, an RN in the MICU , giving her second dose on Thursday, January 7, 2021.
Utah’s rate of positive COVID-19 tests continues to fall, a sign that the spread of the coronavirus is slowing down, health officials explained.
The Utah Department of Health reported Thursday that about 17% of tests are positive, and that was about twice in the past week.
But the death toll continues to rise. Another 11 deaths were reported on Thursday, bringing the total to just 101 last week – 7% of the total COVID-19 deaths in Utah since the pandemic began.
“We are definitely moving in the right direction,” with the rate of positive tests declining, state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn said at a news conference on Thursday. “You’re doing the right things. Keep doing it. ”
Although the explosion of a vaccine is a ‘light at the end of the tunnel’, dr. Eddie Stenehjem said in another news conference that it could also make people a little more lax about the spread of COVID-19.
“We are by no means out of the woods about this. … Herd immunity is over, ”he warned.
Vaccinations reported in the past day / total vaccinations • 8,318 / 133,202.
Cases reported in the past day • 2,742.
Deaths reported in the past day • 11.
The deaths were reported on Wednesday • Altogether one of the 11 deaths was people aged 65 and older.
There were two deaths in Salt Lake County, both women aged 65 to 84 years. There were also two deaths in Utah County (one man 65 to 84 and another man older than 85); Washington County (a woman and a man both 65 to 84); and Weber County (two men 65 to 84).
There is one death each in Davis County (a man aged 45 to 64); Iron County (a man aged 65 to 84), and Kane County (a man aged 65 to 84).
Hospitalizations reported in the past day • 559. It’s seven from Wednesday. Of those currently admitted to the hospital, 194 are in intensive care units – the same as Wednesday.
Tests reported in the past day • 16 231.
Percentage of positive tests • 16.89%. This is more than 9% lower than the seven-day average of 26%.
Total to date • 317,559 cases; 1,460 deaths; 12,249 hospitalizations; 1,871,616 tests.
Stenehjem said he was “cautiously optimistic” that Utah’s increase in COVID-19 cases would slow after Christmas, though doctors would still not be sure for five to seven days.
The drop in the state’s test positivity – the seven-day average of 26% on Thursday was lower than the highest of 33% a few weeks ago – is a good sign ‘, Stenehjem said, although’ nowhere near where we are need to be, note. ”
