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Today’s daily briefing for Friday, April 24, 2020, is about to get started.
We’ll start with @DrAngelaCDunn from @UtahDepOfHealth and finish with @GovHerbert.
We’ll start with @DrAngelaCDunn from @UtahDepOfHealth and finish with @GovHerbert.
#Utahcovid19 update from @DrAngelaCDunn
Total positive cases: 3,782 (+170)
Lab Tests: 84,697 total tests (+4,070)
Hospitalizations: 315 (Cumulative)
Estimated recovered: 1,252 (Cumulative)
Deaths: 39 deaths (+4)
Total positive cases: 3,782 (+170)
Lab Tests: 84,697 total tests (+4,070)
Hospitalizations: 315 (Cumulative)
Estimated recovered: 1,252 (Cumulative)
Deaths: 39 deaths (+4)
We have started to look at case trends by smaller areas. We are seeing some successes in previous hot spots.
@SummitCountyHD is seeing a decline in cases, showing that social distancing is working.
@SummitCountyHD is seeing a decline in cases, showing that social distancing is working.
Starting Tues. April 28, and Wed., April 29, and continuing weekly on those two days, drive up testing is available at the Utah Partners for Health clinic, located at 8446 S. Harrison in Midvale.
Doctor’s order is NOT required. Folks can be assessed on-site. Testing is free.
Doctor’s order is NOT required. Folks can be assessed on-site. Testing is free.
Q: How soon will we have “herd immunity?”
A: A vaccine is the surest way to have immunity and it will still be many months before we have one.
A: A vaccine is the surest way to have immunity and it will still be many months before we have one.
Now, @GovHerbert says that the Utah Leads Together 2.0 plan will help us guide the arrival to a new normal as a society.
Each level requires that we continue to take precautions. It’s more like a dial than a switch.
Each level requires that we continue to take precautions. It’s more like a dial than a switch.
Please take time to get on the same page, by reading and understanding the Utah Leads Together 2.0 plan
https://coronavirus.utah.gov/utah-leads-together/
https://coronavirus.utah.gov/utah-leads-together/
We need to make sure we are lowering the risk for certain groups:
• People over age 60
• People with compromised immune systems
• People with underlying health conditions, such as hypertension or diabetes.
We cannot let our hospital systems get overwhelmed.
• People over age 60
• People with compromised immune systems
• People with underlying health conditions, such as hypertension or diabetes.
We cannot let our hospital systems get overwhelmed.
Keep up the good health habits, Utah:
• No shaking hands
• Don’t touch your face
• Clean high touch surfaces regularly
• Wash your hands
• No shaking hands
• Don’t touch your face
• Clean high touch surfaces regularly
• Wash your hands
. @GovHerbert says that he plans to change the statewide risk category from red to orange as early as next week (high to moderate)
Moving from high risk to moderate risk doesn’t mean business as usual.
Moving from high risk to moderate risk doesn’t mean business as usual.
A shift from high to moderate risk means we need to care for those who are at highest risk.
We also need to better understand if there are geographic areas of concern.
We also need to better understand if there are geographic areas of concern.
The number of new hospitalizations has been declining since April 8, and using our most conservative estimation of the data, has declined by over the last seven days.
Over the last 2 weeks, ICU utilization has hovered between 15% and 17%
Over the last 2 weeks, ICU utilization has hovered between 15% and 17%
Our testing capacity has increased, as have our number of tests:
We are now regularly testing just over 4,000 each day.
We have 56 sites now set up for testing.
We are now regularly testing just over 4,000 each day.
We have 56 sites now set up for testing.
Make sure to help with the contact tracing effort by downloading the beta Healthy Together app
Our decision to change our health risk rating from red to orange will be made with data-informed judgment.
Maintaining this trajectory depends upon all of us.
Maintaining this trajectory depends upon all of us.
Addressing a state purchase of hydroxychloroquine:
Early on in the days of COVID-19, there were shortages of many supplies and medicines.
On March 31, the state @UtahGOMB purchased 20,000 doses of the medication for $800,000.
Early on in the days of COVID-19, there were shortages of many supplies and medicines.
On March 31, the state @UtahGOMB purchased 20,000 doses of the medication for $800,000.
We will not be purchasing any more of hydroxychloroquine. The purchase is under review.
Q: What businesses could start opening under a moderate risk?
A: Some restaurants could have a limited opening for in-house dining with restrictions of screening employees for symptoms, spacing tables, smaller dining groups. We’re working on the details to do this safely.
A: Some restaurants could have a limited opening for in-house dining with restrictions of screening employees for symptoms, spacing tables, smaller dining groups. We’re working on the details to do this safely.
A: We may have some parks, national parks, Lake Powell, gyms and other spaces opening. Stay tuned. We’ll have more details next week.
Q: With hydroxychloroquine, what will the state do with it?
A: We don’t have it in our possession yet. Studies are ongoing. We will listen to scientists and medical advisors. There are anecdotes of positive effects, but we need scientific advice.
A: We don’t have it in our possession yet. Studies are ongoing. We will listen to scientists and medical advisors. There are anecdotes of positive effects, but we need scientific advice.
Q: The http://TestUtah.com questionnaire included a question about hydroxychloroquine. Will you continue with the contract with the company behind that survey?
A: We have asked that question be removed. We will continue to review this.
A: We have asked that question be removed. We will continue to review this.
Q: Can the state back out of the deal for hydroxychloroquine? Was this a waste of taxpayer dollars?
A: We are doing a complete review. We hope to have answers on this next week.
A: We are doing a complete review. We hope to have answers on this next week.
Q: Did you have any personal information about the purchase of hydroxychloroquine?
A: No.
A: No.
A: Remember that hydroxychloroquine had been viewed as a therapeutic drug, not necessarily as a miracle drug. I believe everyone who was involved in the purchasing decisions was acting in good faith. We will continue the review process.
Q: Do you know if you will be able to get out of the contract for hydroxychloroquine?
A: I’m hopeful, but it’s under review.
A: I’m hopeful, but it’s under review.
Q: What do you think about local differences related to Utah Leads Together 2.0? Will local officials have control?
A: We have deferred to them throughout this process. They know their communities better than I do.
A: We have deferred to them throughout this process. They know their communities better than I do.
I predict that we will recover faster, better and quicker than any other state in the nation.
Our future is going to be bright over the next weeks and months. It depends on all of us.
Our future is going to be bright over the next weeks and months. It depends on all of us.
Today’s briefing has concluded. We will resume on Monday, April 27.
