COVID-19 hospitalizations in Utah have increased 342% since June

The number of COVID-19 patients currently in ICUs increased by 330% since June 1. Photo: Utah Department of Health

PARK CITY, Utah — Utah House Bill 294, signed by Gov. Cox in March this year, set metrics for when COVID-19 public health orders in the state could be lifted.

The metrics were met on May 4, and health orders were lifted.

However, current state data shows that the number of cases and hospitalizations are far exceeding the metrics established in the bill.

House Bill 294 established criteria for the lifting of COVID-19 public health orders. The metrics were met, and health orders lifted, on May 4, 2021. Current data show the state far exceeding the case rates and hospitalization metrics established in the legislation. pic.twitter.com/HtzKqgGyxn

— State of Utah COVID-19 Response (@UtahCoronavirus) September 2, 2021

For public health orders to be lifted, statewide 7-day average COVID-19 ICU utilization had to be less than 15 percent. It is currently at 34.2 percent, which is 2.3 times greater than the benchmark.

Also, statewide 14-day case rates had to be less than 191 cases per 100,000. Currently, the state is at 512 per 100,000, which is 2.7 times higher than that benchmark.

Since June 1, COVID-19 hospitalizations in Utah have risen 342 percent. The number of COVID-19 patients currently in ICUs has increased 330 percent in the same timeframe.

Vaccination status is a significant factor in determining whether someone needs high-level care for COVID-19. Here’s a snapshot of patients with COVID-19 currently admitted to Intermountain hospitals. Talk to your doctor about protecting yourself today: https://t.co/cuWucvn1VJ pic.twitter.com/Rc2Zk5zkZQ

— Intermountain (@Intermountain) September 3, 2021

“Utah’s only pediatric hospital also continues to operate near or above capacity,” the Utah Department of Health said.

The Utah Department of Health announced 1,635 new cases on Friday, September 3. 453 of those are school-aged children. Six new deaths were reported.

For the week starting August 29, 60 cases have been reported in Summit County.

81 percent of Summit County residents that are eligible have been fully vaccinated. 62.1 percent of people 18 and older in all of Utah have been fully vaccinated.

You can sign up to get a vaccine in Summit County here.