Utah Dept. of Health announces highest daily COVID case count since February 10

A report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released on Wednesday found that up to a year after an initial coronavirus infection, 1 in 4 adults aged 65 and older had at least one potential long COVID health problem, compared with 1 in 5 younger adults. Photo: CDC

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — The Utah Department of Health announced 1,215 new COVID-19 cases today.

That is the highest daily case count in the state since February 10.

“It’s certainly a disturbing trend,” said Intermountain Healthcare Dr. Eddie Stenehjem in a press conference. “Essentially everybody should be wearing a mask indoors.”

Stenehjem, an infectious diseases physician, said Intermountain hospitals are more than 85% full. He said at that level, most hospitals aren’t efficient.

Details of an internal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) document, obtained by the Washington Post, says there is evidence that the delta variant is as contagious as chickenpox. They also fear it is producing more severe illnesses.

The CDC recently changed its stance for fully vaccinated Americans, saying they should wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of high or substantial transmission.

“We’re seeing rapidly evolving science right in front of our eyes, and it’s incredible and it’s fast-paced,” Stenehjem said. “I recognize that this is really hard for the general public, and I can tell you that we’re doing the best we can.”

The Summit County Health Department “supports the use of face coverings to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread.”

“While prevalence of positivity remain low in Summit County, we are continually monitoring data and having discussions about all potential measures to mitigate COVID-19 spread as allowed by current legislation,” the Health Department said in a statement.

“We are proud of Summit County’s high vaccination rate to date (87% with one dose and 78% complete among those 12 years and older). COVID-19 is now almost exclusively a pandemic among the unvaccinated. Therefore, we urge those who have not been vaccinated to do so.”

The Summit County Health Department offers vaccines at their offices in Park City, Coalville, and Kamas. They are also available at Wasatch Pediatrics in Park City.