Salt Lake County, five others to move to “moderate” transmission phase

SALT LAKE CITY — Nearly a year after COVID-19 first arrived in Utah, six counties in the state, including the state’s most populated, Salt Lake County, will move to the “moderate” transmission phase for the virus, KSL NewsRadio learned Thursday.  

Counties in the “moderate” transmission phase do not have gathering restrictions, so long as people wear masks. 

Listen live: Gov. Cox, health officials hold their weekly news conference

 

During a weekly news conference, state government and health officials announced lowered age requirements and expanded health conditions that qualify for vaccinations. 

Gov. Spencer Cox announced Salt Lake, Cache, Davis, Grand, Sanpete and Wasatch counties would all move from “high” to “moderate” transmission levels on the state’s virus-response plan. However, he also took time to note all the Utahns lost to date from COVID-19. 

“Even though we’ve been watching phenomenal progress in our metrics, I wanna take a minute to just remember that we have lost almost 2,000 Utahns to this insidious disease,” Cox said. “Those 2,000 people are really people, and to those families this is real and it’s tragic.” 

Transmission levels change in Salt Lake, Davis and other counties 

The Utah Department of Health uses a graduated transmission index to determine when locations like Salt Lake County and the other five counties mentioned by the governor can ease restrictions related to COVID-19. 

Under the system, a county has a high level of transmission when its 7-day average percent positivity is greater than or equal to 10%, its 14-day case rate rises above 325 people per 100,000 population, its total amount of ICU utilization reaches 72% or greater and the number of ICU beds used for COVID-19 specifically reach higher than 15%. 

“There are no restrictions on gatherings in moderate [counties],” Cox said. “This is incredible news as long as people are wearing masks.” 

That means you could sit shoulder-to-shoulder with someone at a basketball game or movie theater, as long as your masks are in place. 

This story will be updated. 

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Contributing: Kira Hoffelmeyer

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How To Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus

COVID-19 coronavirus spreads person to person, similar to the common cold and the flu. So, to prevent it from spreading:

• Wash hands frequently and thoroughly, with soap and water, for at least 20 seconds.
• Don’t touch your face.
• Wear a mask to protect yourself and others per CDC recommendations.
• Keep children and those with compromised immune systems away from someone who is coughing or sneezing (in this instance, at least six feet).
• If there is an outbreak near you, practice social distancing (stay at home, instead of going to the movies, sports events, or other activities).
• Obtain a flu shot.

Local resources

KSL Coronavirus Q&A 

Utah’s Coronavirus Information 

Utah State Board of Education

Utah Hospital Association

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Utah Coronavirus Information Line – 1-800-456-7707

National Resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Commonly asked questions, World Health Organization

Cases in the United States

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