During the weekly COVID-19 press briefing on Thursday, August 13, 2020, Governor Gary Herbert interviewed Utah Department of Health deputy director Nate Checketts, who oversees testing for Unified Command. We recognize there are some persistent questions Utahns have about testing for COVID-19. This is a summary of their discussion: 1. Why is testing so critical to our pandemic response? Testing for …
Most people won’t have to pay for COVID-19 testing
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 like a fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, or decrease in smell or taste, you should be tested for COVID-19. The health department may recommend you get tested if you came into close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, even if you are not sick. If so, they’ll give …
New Utah challenge: 7-day rolling average of 400 cases
Gov. Herbert sets a new deadline of September 1, 2020. The best way Utah is going to slow the spread of COVID-19 is by working together to keep one another safe. After a single-day case count of 868 cases on July 9, Gov. Gary Herbert, contemplating a statewide mask mandate, challenged Utahns to get the 7-day rolling average of case …
School teachers and staff to receive PPE from state distribution center
We love our teachers. We know teachers and families are concerned about school reopening plans. The State of Utah’s COVID-19 response Unified Command will provide teachers and staff additional masks and face shields to help keep them safe and healthy in their classrooms. That’s 250,000 masks and 100,000 face shields. The Unified Command’s supply group had brainstormed ways to support …
FAQs with Governor Herbert and Dr. Dunn
During the weekly COVID-19 press briefing on Thursday, July 30, 2020, Governor Gary Herbert asked state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn, from the Utah Department of Health, some of the persistent questions he hears from Utahns about COVID-19. This is a summary of their discussion: You can watch this conversation on the Governor’s Facebook page here. Gov. Herbert: There are a …
BYU Research on the Effectiveness of Masks
A study by Brigham Young University released earlier this month looks at the effectiveness of wearing masks.
Tips for Safe & Responsible Recreation
Knowing how to approach travel safely and responsibly right now is challenging. While the opportunity to relax and escape into Utah’s wide-open spaces may be enticing, thoughts surrounding social distancing, sanitation and safety in public places are distressing. Traveling inherently increases the risk of contracting and spreading the coronavirus, but there are measures we can all take to travel more responsibly and have a positive impact on the communities we visit.
Governor Issues Executive Order Adopting Updated Phased Guidelines
Gov. Gary R. Herbert has issued an Executive Order adopting version 4.9 of the Phased Guidelines. The updates provide guidance for restaurants operating 24 hours per day and restaurants with buffet service. The order is effective immediately and will remain in effect until August 7.
Governor Issues Executive Order Adopting Updated Phased Guidelines and the State Health Department Issues Public Health Order Mandating Masks in all K-12 Schools
Gov. Gary R. Herbert has issued an Executive Order adopting version 4.8 of the Phased Guidelines. The updated guidelines allow, but do not require, schools in the Orange (Medium Risk) Phase to open and provide some level of in-person instruction. Also, the Utah Department of Health Issued a public health order mandating the use of masks in all K-12 public schools.
State Offers Free Counseling for COVID-Related Stress
More than 40 crisis counselors are ready to answer your call if you are experiencing stress, anxiety or depression or increased substance misuse because of COVID-19. The Utah Strong Recovery Project is funded by a FEMA grant facilitated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The funding is designated to the Utah Department of Human Services Division …