FILE -- Dr. Angela Dunn, state epidemiologist with the Utah Department of Health, waits to speak at the daily COVID-19 media briefing at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Monday, May 11, 2020. (Ivy Ceballo, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — State epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn said Thursday she wants to see Utah expand COVID-19 testing capabilities, even for asymptomatic people.
This comes as Utah is set to receive over a million rapid antigen tests from the federal government this week.
Gov. Gary Herbert said he expects to see those tests arrive “immediately.” However, some demographics will be given first priority.
“This includes close contacts to a confirmed case, exposed first responders, high-risk health care sittings and then we have specific outbreaks,” Dunn said.
The epidemiologist said this is not a change in the state’s previous strategy — despite conflicting recommendations from other agencies, like the White House and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, advising those without symptoms should not get tested. However, Dunn said those considered at risk, who have been exposed to the virus, should get tested, regardless of whether they feel unwell.
Herbert said he spoke to Vice President Mike Pence earlier this week to provide more funding toward rapid COVID-19 antigen testing in Utah. As a result, the state will receive roughly 1.5 million tests that will provide results in minutes, rather than days or weeks.
COVID-19 coronavirus spreads person to person, similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:
Utah’s Coronavirus Information
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention