FILE - Utah Governor Gary Herbert addresses reporters during a COVID-19 briefing. (PHOTO: Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) reported 1,198 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday — the largest daily increase in cases since the pandemic started. These new numbers top last Friday’s count of 1,117 new cases of the virus.
Gov. Gary Herbert anticipated the high case count during his monthly COVID-19 briefing.
There were no additional deaths reported but there was a jump in hospitalizations. As of Thursday, 188 people are currently hospitalized with COVID-19, with 76 in intensive care units (ICU). UDOH reports 55.1% of all non-ICU beds and 67% of all ICU beds in Utah hospitals are occupied.
Last week, doctors and state officials warned hospitalizations were going to increase due to the large influx in cases.
The latest report pushed Utah’s rolling 7-day average for positive tests to 916 per day. However, the 7-day rolling average for positive infection is still at 14.2%.
In response to the rapid uptick in coronavirus data, Gov. Herbert moved the Orem and Provo area back to the “orange” risk level. Utah County also established a countywide mask mandate.