Today’s monthly @pbsutah briefing for Thursday, October 22, 2020, is about to get started. It will also be streamed live at http://Facebook.com/govgaryherbert  https://twitter.com/pbsutah/status/1319314587594813441

We are afraid that some people haven’t seen the range of ill effects of the virus and don’t clearly see the problem our medical and business community are seeing as we look broadly across the state.

We recognize that most people won’t die from COVID-19.

Many who get infected will not have severe symptoms, and some may have no symptoms at all.

But there’s much more to the story.

Many may suffer lifelong effects of this disease, including damage to the heart muscle, thrombosis, (blood clots) and damage to the brain and nervous system.

Gov Herbert says his daughter has lost her sense of smell and taste after a COVID-19 infection. He’s especially concerned about his 13-year-old granddaughter who is having similar effects after COVID-19 and even get nauseated because some foods taste worse.

Our major hospitals have started declining new patients in their ICUs and are activating their surge plans now. The stress level is increasing every day.

If this trend continues, it won’t be long before we will start seeing people hospitalized in the Mountain America Expo Center

Dr. Angela Dunn, state epidemiologist:

Case update:

1,543 new cases
10,291 people tested
73 new hospitalizations
10 new ICU admits
6 deaths

7-day rolling avg - 1,289
7-day positivity - 15.5%

Total ICU occupancy: 73.9%
Confirmed C+ in hospitals: 301

Dr. Dunn:
We have prioritized asking individuals to take proper actions.

But our hospitals are getting full and we haven’t had anyone hospitalized for influenza yet.

We don’t know how long it will take us to get through this pandemic, but we will get there and I know we will get through this by coming together as a team.
- Dr. Dunn

UDOH Director Rich Saunders:

Today, we will have 21 counties designated as high transmission areas (last week we had 6)

Beaver
Box Elder
Cache
Carbon
Davis
Emery
Garfield
Grand
Juab
Millard
Morgan 
Salt Lake
San Juan
Sanpete
Sevier
Summit
Tooele
Utah
Wasatch
Washington
Weber

Three counties are moderate areas of transmission:

Duchesne
Iron
Uintah

Five counties are low transmission areas:

Daggett 
Kane
Piute
Rich
Wayne

You can see all of the levels and counties and what the requirements are at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/utah-health-guidance-levels/

Requirements in high and moderate counties:

Casual social gatherings are reduced to 10 individuals per gathering

Masks worn in public settings, such as stores, libraries, and restaurants (when not eating/drinking)

Restaurants/bars must have 6’ of distance between parties

Businesses may to continue operating safely.

People need to continue to live life to the fullest, but with an extra measure of caution and awareness.

If you are sick, or have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, follow proper quarantine protocol.

People are encouraged to continue to be productive and stay connected with others.

Those who are at higher-risk for severe illness, which means if you have underlying conditions or are of advanced age, be extra careful

We know counties will be able to get back to moderate or low because they were very recently in moderate or low until the most recent surge.

We know we can work together to slow the spread of COVID-19.
- Rich Saunders

Now, we’ve invited Dr. Eddie Stenehjem from @Intermountain to talk about hospital usage.

I wish I could take you on rounds with me. For the first time as a physician, I’m scared to see what is to come.

We are surging in our hospitals. Soon we will have to accommodate more patients by shifting patients to other hospitals.

The most valuable resource we have are not beds, buildings or medicine — it’s our caregivers and non medical staff.

They are being stretched thin.

We are saddened by the loss of life we are seeing. We have called on the community before and we’re doing it again.

Masking is the simplest approach we can take.

When two individuals wear a mask it is virtually impossible to transmit the virus between them.

It’s hard to be optimistic, but we have to. Now is the time to rally.

We are being tested. If we fail this test, our healthcare system may not be there for you when you need it.

Thank you, Dr. Stenehjem, Dr. Dunn and Director Saunders.

Gov. Herbert:

We need to keep our distance from family and friends by keeping social gatherings small.

You are not immune from a virus just because it is being carried by a family member.

Q: Is there more than can be done policy wise?

A: Though we have policies in place, it still comes down to personal choices. We don’t want to lock people up. Wearing a mask is easy. It is not restrictive and keeps others safe.

Q: Utah County mask mandate. What lessons can be learned?

A: Utah County is an example of what can be done. They put a mask mandate in place. Cases started going down. We now urge these new counties in high transmission rates to learn from that.

Q: What lessons have you learned through this?

A: We mislabeled our original system with risk levels. There is always risk. We feel like we have a clear and transparent system now. Everyone can know how the virus is spread and what they need to do to lower transmission.