Utah sets another record high for new cases of COVID-19, counts 200th death
Utah's surge in COVID-19 cases continued on Wednesday as health officials counted 722 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, a new record high for the number of new cases reported in one day.
The state reported seven new deaths in total, including a man from Washington County who was described as being between the ages of 65 and 84. The state has now counted 26,760 cases in total, and 201 deaths have been reported.
Statewide, nearly two-thirds of all intensive care unit hospital beds are occupied, with 199 people currently hospitalized for COVID-19, according to the Utah Department of Health. The median age of those hospitalized was 55.
"Today’s positive case counts represent another daily record, and further reinforce the need for Utah residents to be taking the appropriate precautions to protect themselves and those around them," Angela Dunn, the state epidemiologist, said in a written statement. "Please, wear a mask in public, practice physical distancing, stay home if you are sick, and wash your hands regularly. We are all part of the solution."
The southwest health district, which includes Washington, Iron, Kane, Beaver and Garfield counties, counted 35 new cases and has now reported 1,840 total. There were 14 local residents whose deaths have been attributed to the disease.
Southwest Utah coronavirus case counts by week
- May 3-9: 56
- May 10-16: 55
- May 17-23: 75
- May 24-30: 129
- May 31-June 6: 144
- June 7-13: 190
- June 14-20: 251
- June 21-27: 330
There had been 114 area residents hospitalized since the pandemic began, and hospital administrators at Dixie Regional Medical Center have warned that they could risk overwhelming hospital capacity if rates don't slow.
MORE:New Utah virus cases top weekly record as infections surge
The number of new cases reported each day has slowed slightly in recent weeks, although a higher percentage of those being tested were testing positive. The area's infection rate — the rate at which tested subjects are testing positive — continues to increase and was at about 7.9% as of Wednesday, according to the latest figures provided by the Southwest Utah Public Health Department.
Every local area in Washington and Iron counties ranked as having a "high rate" of infection over the past 14 days, meaning that there had been more than 100 cases per 100,000 population, according to the state health department.
Local COVID-19 case counts
- St. George: 864
- Cedar City: 320
- Hurricane/La Verkin: 253
- Washington City: 174
- Ivins/Santa Clara: 105
Source: "Small Area" case rates data, Utah Department of Health.
There were 20 local residents hospitalized. Officials said 1,087 people counted as "recovered," meaning they had gone at least three weeks since they were diagnosed.
Health officials have now counted results from 385,760 tests across Utah. About 7% of tests have been positive.
COVID-19 on the rise across the U.S.
Hospitalizations continued to rise and ICU beds were quickly filling as the nation surpassed 3 million coronavirus cases Wednesday.
The stunning milestone hit less than six months after the first confirmed case was reported Jan. 21, in Everett, Washington. Tuesday saw a record 60,021 new cases as the nationwide surge showed no signs of ebbing. In hopes slowing spread in his state, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he would require masks outdoors.
The number of new daily cases has risen exponentially since the middle of last month, reaching a record high of 57,209 on July 3. At a Senate hearing last week, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases, testified that the U.S. is “going in the wrong direction” and that he “would not be surprised if we go up to 100,000 a day if this does not turn around.”
The virus has killed more than 131,000 Americans and put a strain on the health care system. In California, hospitalizations are up 50% from two weeks ago. In Arizona, more than 90% of its ICU beds were filled, and the percentage was growing. In Savannah, Georgia, hospitalizations have nearly quadrupled in a month.
In Florida at least 56 hospital intensive care units have reached capacity – and some Republican senators said they won't attend the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville next month.