2,160 more COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths reported Monday in Utah as positive test rate

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah’s number of COVID-19 cases has increased by 2,160 on Monday, with four more deaths reported, according to the Utah Department of Health.

The health department now estimates there are 50,030 active COVID-19 cases in Utah. The rolling seven-day average number of positive cases per day is now at 2,716, according to the health department. The positive test rate per day for that time period climbed to a record-high 30.8% — the first time that number has been reported above 30%.

The new numbers indicate a 0.8% increase in positive cases since Sunday. Of the 1,752,324 people tested for COVID-19 in Utah so far, 16.4% have tested positive for COVID-19. The health department reported 6,619 new people tested as of Monday, while total tests conducted increased by 8,770.

A total of 48,575 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have now been administered in Utah, up from 47,382 Sunday, according to the health department. Health officials note that there is a data reporting lag from when doses are shipped to Utah, administered to patients and then reported to the health department. State data shows 142,875 vaccine doses have now been shipped to Utah.

There are now 484 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Utah, including 167 in intensive care. Overall, about 83% of all intensive care unit beds in Utah are occupied Monday, including about 86% of ICU beds in the state’s 16 referral hospitals. About 48% of Utah’s non-ICU hospital beds are filled, state data shows.

The four new deaths reported Monday were:

• A Washington County woman who was over the age of 85 and was a resident of a long-term care facility
• A Salt Lake County man who was over the age of 85 and was not hospitalized when he died
• A Salt Lake County man who was between the ages of 65 and 84 and was hospitalized when he died
• A Washington County woman who was over the age of 85 and was hospitalized when she died

Monday’s totals give Utah 285,633 total confirmed cases, with 11,240 total hospitalizations and 1,305 total deaths from the disease. A total of 234,298 COVID-19 cases are now estimated to be recovered, according to the health department.

As Utah’s positive test rate average has continued climbing, the health department is offering free rapid COVID-19 testing across Utah this week, according to a news release from the department. Anyone is able to get tested at the clinics, even if they have no symptoms of COVID-19. The goal for the clinics is to more easily identify cases of COVID-19 in the community, including people who may not know they are infected because they do not have any symptoms.

People are encouraged to pre-register online for testing at the sites. People will also be able to register in-person at the clinics, but identification may be required. The full list of sites can be found by clicking this link.

Health officials also warned Monday of a false flyer being circulated asking people to wear a certain type of mask to indicate their vaccination status. The information on the flyer is not true and the state of Utah will never ask people to wear a certain type or color of mask to prove they have been vaccinated, the health department said in a series of tweets Monday.

The health department also pointed out that there are no restrictions in place based on whether or not a person chooses to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The ability for Utahns to travel, enter businesses and vote also will not be tied to a person’s vaccine status.

“False and misleading information like this is harmful and dangerous in our fight against the pandemic,” the health department said.

There is not a COVID-19 news conference scheduled for Monday. Utah officials typically provide updates at news conferences once a week on Wednesdays or Thursdays.