CoronaVirus (COVID-19) Updates
The Utah Coronavirus Task Force is actively monitoring the spread of COVID-19 on a state, national, and global level.
The Utah Department of Health is working with local health departments, healthcare providers, and other public health partners throughout the state to monitor illness associated with this new coronavirus and to prevent further spread.The department has activated its Incident Command System in order to ensure effective communication and coordination with all involved agencies.
While the origin of this particular outbreak can be traced back to China, it would be grossly inappropriate, not to mention medically ineffective, to ostracize anyone from our communities or exclude anyone from our places of public gathering based on their race, nationality, or ethnicity.
Many rumors related to COVID-19 circulating on social media are false or contain misinformation. People should be skeptical of rumors they hear on social media that aren’t being reported by reputable health organizations or mainstream media outlets and should not share or repost items unless they are able to confirm that they are true. False and inaccurate social media posts can cause a great deal of harm.
Even though this is a worrisome public health situation, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 to the general public is believed to be low. We can all contribute to a healthy community, and we appreciate your willingness to help protect the public health in Utah.
Number of confirmed* COVID-19 cases in Utah
Confirmed cases by health district
| District | Cases |
|---|---|
| Bear River | 0 |
| Central Utah | 0 |
| Davis County | 1 |
| Salt Lake County | 3 |
| San Juan | 0 |
| Southeast Utah | 0 |
| Southwest Utah | 0 |
| Summit County | 1 |
| Tooele | 0 |
| Tri County | 0 |
| Utah County | 0 |
| Wasatch County | 0 |
| Weber-Morgan | 1 |
Recent Updates
What’s Happening: Utah
Gov. Gary Herbert and the Utah Coronavirus Task Force are recommending gatherings of more than 100 people be canceled for two weeks beginning March 16 to slow the spread of COVID-19. Some local governments have also closed many public services, including recreation centers, libraries, and senior centers.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has canceled all group activities worldwide, including sacrament meetings. That announcement followed previous decisions about the April General Conference and missionary trainings.
Public schools will not be closed statewide, Superintendent Sydnee Dickson said Thursday. Instead, closures will be decided at the local level based on advice from health officials. At least one school district has closed their schools, and some private and charter schools have also canceled classes.
The Utah System of Higher Education, meanwhile, is closing college and university campuses. Wherever possible, classes will be conducted online. Westminster College and Brigham Young University, both private schools, have also closed campuses and move classes online.
State officials are encouraging everyone to take serious precautions, especially staying at least six-feet away from other people and staying home if showing any symptoms.
What’s Happening: U.S.
There are more than 1,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the U.S., and those numbers are expected to rise as testing becomes more widespread.
Six states have closed some or all of their schools because of COVID-19 outbreaks. Dozens of universities and colleges have also closed their campuses.
Every major sports league has suspended their seasons or canceled tournaments. The NBA was the first to cancel games indefinitely after Utah Jazz player Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19 Wednesday evening.
For ongoing updates on the COVID-19 pandemic in the the U.S., visit the CDC updates page.
What’s Happening: World
The World Health Organization has officially designated the COVID-19 outbreak as a global pandemic.
The CDC has suspended travel from China, Iran, and most of Europe by foreign nationals, and recommends avoiding all non-essential travel to these countries. The agency also recommends avoiding non-essential travel to South Korea. Older adults or those with underlying health conditions should avoid travel globally.
The Italian government has placed the entire country on lockdown, allowing only essential travel and encouraging everyone to stay home. Other European countries have placed restrictions on travel and mass gatherings, as well.