HEALTH

Salt Lake County releases advisory as omicron surges

SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah — As the omicron variant spreads, Salt Lake County has reached transmission rates that rival pre-vaccine rates.  SLCO Health Department issued a new COVID-19 advisory on Tuesday.

The SLCO Health Department published an advisory encouraging measures to reduce the spread of the virus. In it, officials state Salt Lake County is experiencing COVID-19 transmission at rates that have not been seen since November 2020. 

The release advised all individuals to do the following. 

• All individuals over the age of 2, who can medically tolerate it, to wear masks in all public indoor settings.
• All individuals to stay home when ill and obtain COVID-19 testing.
• All individuals who test positive for COVID-19 to follow current CDC guidance for isolation.
• All unvaccinated or unboosted people to obtain doses they are eligible for.

The advisory also listed current statistics for Salt Lake County. Salt Lake County ICUs are operating at over 89% utilization. Currently, 34% of those in the hospital are there because of COVID-19. 

The department noted that 65% of SLCO residents have not yet received the booster; 24% of SLCO residents are unvaccinated. 

Although omicron seems to increase risk of infection across the globe, cases of omicron appear to be less severe than other variants, added the department.

Other stories:

• Davis district initiates new partnership in efforts against racism in schools
• Experts say Wednesday’s storm is a ‘recipe’ for more avalanche risk
• Omicron upends return to US schools and workplaces