Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs with Governor Herbert and Dr. Dunn

During one of his COVID-19 press briefings, Governor Gary Herbert asked state epidemiologist Dr. Angela Dunn from the Utah Department of Health some of the persistent questions he’d heard from Utahns about COVID-19. You can read a summary of their discussion here.

This page uses the official term COVID-19 to refer to the disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus.

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.

Updated 8/4/2020

What is novel coronavirus, or COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a disease caused by a new strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), so people most likely have no immunity to it. It causes a respiratory illness ranging from mild flu-like symptoms to severe pneumonia.

The symptoms of COVID-19 are similar to what someone may get from a seasonal illness:

Most people with COVID-19 will have mild to moderate symptoms. However, people of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

There is currently no vaccine or antiviral treatment for COVID-19.

What does COVID-19 mean?

This is the official name for the disease caused by the 2019 novel coronavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) renamed 2019-nCoV to COVID-19 using a combination of the words coronavirus (CO), virus (VI), and disease (D). The number “19” is for the year the outbreak was first identified. The name was chosen to avoid references to a specific geographical location, animal species, or group of people to prevent stigma.

How is the virus spread?

The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person:

Between people who are in close contact with one another (within 6 feet).
By respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.

Are there any specific medicines to prevent or treat COVID-19?
Currently, there are no specific medicines or vaccines for the new virus, and antibiotics do not work either (they fight off bacteria). Most people get better on their own. Scientists are working to develop a vaccine, but this will have to be tested in trials first, so it could be some time before it is ready. Scientists are also conducting studies to determine if medications already on the market could be effective in treating COVID-19. Treatment is only to manage symptoms, such as drinking lots of fluids, getting plenty of rest, etc.

Is there a vaccine for COVID-19?

At this time, there is not a vaccine for COVID-19.

Who is most affected by COVID-19?
People of any age with the following conditions are at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19:

Cancer
Chronic kidney disease
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
Immunocompromised (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
Obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 30 or higher)
Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
Sickle cell disease
Type 2 diabetes

Based on what we know now, people with the following health conditions might be at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19:

Asthma (moderate to severe)
Cerebrovascular disease (a disease which affects blood vessels and blood supply to the brain)
Cystic fibrosis
Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from blood or bone marrow transplant, immune deficiencies, HIV/ • AIDS, use of corticosteroids, or use of other immune weakening medicines
High blood pressure or hypertension
Liver disease
Neurologic conditions such as dementia
Pregnancy
Pulmonary fibrosis (having damaged or scarred lung tissues)
Thalassemia (a type of blood disorder)
Type 1 diabetes

Children who have special health care needs or are medically complex are also at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19. These children may have neurologic, genetic, or metabolic health conditions or a congenital heart disease.

Smoking may also increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19. For more information on who may be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and what precautions these individuals should take, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/ need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html.

What is multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children?

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a condition where different body parts can become inflamed, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, or gastrointestinal organs. We do not yet know what causes MIS-C. However, we know that many children with MIS-C had the virus that causes COVID-19, or had been around someone with COVID-19. MIS-C can be serious, even deadly, but most children who were diagnosed with this condition have gotten better with medical care.

Contact your child’s doctor, nurse, or clinic right away if your child is showing symptoms of MIS-C. Seek emergency care right away if your child is showing any of these emergency warning signs of MIS-C or other concerning signs.

Does everyone with COVID-19 end up in the hospital?

No. People of any age with certain underlying medical conditions are at increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19 which may include hospitalization.

Most people will be able to recover at home under the care of a healthcare provider. It’s not known what the long-term health effects of COVID-19 are.

Is COVID-19 more dangerous than influenza (flu)?

COVID-19 is especially dangerous because we don’t have a vaccine to prevent it or treatment for it. COVID-19 appears to be more infectious than influenza.

Everyone should get an influenza vaccine (flu shot) when they become available this fall.

Do you have immunity once you get COVID?

There is still a lot we don't know about COVID-19 including how much immunity a person will have after being infected with the virus.

Will warm weather stop COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a new form of virus, so it is not yet known how temperature will affect transmission. COVID-19 has been spreading in areas of the world with warmer climates, but there is much to learn about the transmissibility of the disease.

Can COVID-19 be spread through water?

COVID-19 has not been detected in drinking water. Conventional water treatment methods should remove or inactivate the virus. There is also no evidence that COVID-19 can be spread to humans through the use of pools and hot tubs.

How long does COVID-19 survive on surfaces?

Studies show the virus that causes COVID-19 may last on surfaces for up to 72 hours depending on the surface. That's why it is so important to not touch your face, clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often (such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables), and wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

There's a lot we still don't know, such as how different conditions, including exposure to sunlight, heat, or cold, can affect these survival times.

What cleaning agents work best to kill COVID-19?

Most common EPA-registered household disinfectants will work. For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/cleaning-disinfection.html.

Can I get COVID-19 from pets or animals?

There have been a small number of pets (dogs and cats) which have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19, mostly after close contact with someone who had COVID-19. Based on what we know right now, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to humans is considered low.

For more information, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/pets.html.

If I get a package from an area with coronavirus and open it, will I get COVID-19?

People receiving packages from areas with coronavirus are not at risk of contracting COVID-19. Coronaviruses do not survive long on objects, such as letters or packages. These viruses are generally thought to be spread most often by respiratory droplets, such as coughing and sneezing. There have not been any cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. associated with imported goods.

Can I get COVID-19 from food, including food from restaurants or take-out?

There is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with food. It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object, like a packaging container, that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.

In general, because of poor survivability of these coronaviruses on surfaces, there is likely very low risk of spread from food products or packaging.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The most common symptoms reported are fever, cough, and shortness of breath. You may also have muscle aches, a sore throat, or a decrease in your sense of smell or taste. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your doctor and isolate right away. Your doctor will decide if you need to be tested. You can find testing locations at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/testing-locations/.

You can use the CDC coronavirus self-checker to help you decide if you need medical care. This tool can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html.

How long does it take for symptoms to appear?

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure. This is why you will be asked to quarantine for 14 days if you are exposed to someone who has COVID-19, because it can take 14 days for you to get sick. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, such as a fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, or a decrease in your sense of smell or taste, call your doctor and isolate right away. Your doctor will decide if you need to be tested.

I was at a place where someone who tested positive for COVID-19 was. Do I need to be tested?

Not necessarily. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, or a decrease in your sense of smell or taste), you should get tested for COVID-19. Call your doctor and isolate right away.

If you were in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you should quarantine for 14 days and monitor for symptoms. This means you were closer than 6 feet or 2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from the person who tested positive for 15 minutes or longer. Public health workers may recommend you get tested for COVID-19 if you were in close contact with someone who has it. This will happen through the contact tracing process.

Public health workers do contact tracing when someone tests positive for COVID-19. They will contact every person they feel may have been exposed to the virus. If they don't contact you, it means you were most likely not exposed. In the rare cases that public health feels they may not have the ability to contact all of the close contacts of the individual, they will issue a public statement so everyone will know.

What does close contact mean?

Close contact means being within 6 feet or 2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) of someone who has COVID-19 for 15 minutes or longer. Close contact also means having direct contact with infectious secretions of someone who has COVID-19, such as being coughed on.

What should I do if I am sick?

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your doctor and isolate right away. You should also get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms.

Isolation is for people who are sick or have tested positive for COVID-19. Everyone who lives in your house should stay at home if someone in your house tests positive for COVID-19. Isolation is for people who are not sick enough to be in the hospital. Your doctor may tell you to recover at home. Isolation keeps sick people away from healthy people to stop sickness from spreading.

If you are sick or test positive for COVID-19, you should:

Stay home unless you need medical care.
Try to stay in a different room than other people in your house. If this is not possible, stay at least 6 feet away from other people.
Try to use a different bathroom than the other people who live in your house.
Clean surfaces that are touched often (phones, doorknobs, light switches, toilet handles, sink handles, countertops, and anything metal).
Do not travel if you are sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
Wash your hands with soap and water right after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose. If you do not have soap or water, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Wear a face mask if you have to be around other people (if you have to be in the same room or car). If you can’t wear a face mask because it makes it hard for you to breathe, stay in a different room from other people. If people come into your room, they should wear a face mask.

More information on what to do if you are sick can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html.

Should I wear a face mask?

There is clear scientific evidence that wearing a face covering prevents the spread of COVID-19. The CDC recommends all people 2 years of age and older wear a cloth face covering in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when it is hard to physical distance.

While cloth face coverings are strongly encouraged to reduce the spread of COVID-19, it may not be possible in every situation or for some people to wear a face covering. In some situations, a cloth face covering could make a physical or mental condition worse or be a safety concern. Consider adaptations and alternatives whenever possible to help someone wear a face covering or to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread if it is not possible for someone to wear one.

You can help your community if you make your own mask. There are not enough surgical masks (such as the ones used in doctors’ offices) and N-95 respirators for all of the healthcare workers to take care of patients with COVID-19. Please try to leave these masks for healthcare workers.

The CDC has more tips and instructions for how to make a homemade mask at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html

Do I need to wear a mask if I have been sick?

You should wear a facemask if you are sick, showing symptoms of COVID-19, or have tested positive for COVID-19 to protect others from the risk of getting infected.

Can the virus be spread to the children of pregnant women?

Cases have been reported where a pregnant woman with COVID-19 has passed the virus to the baby during pregnancy or delivery. Studies are continuing.

Can the virus be spread to a baby through breastmilk?

There is no information at this time that a mother can spread COVID-19 to her baby through breastmilk. Breastfeeding should be determined by the mother and her doctor. A mother with confirmed COVID-19 should take steps to avoid spreading the virus to her infant, including washing hands, wearing a face mask, and cleaning the breast pump.

What do I do if I’m scared? Or I need mental or emotional support during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The Emotional Health Relief Hotline is a free resource for those seeking emotional health guidance during these uncertain times. Callers are connected with a trained caregiver who can provide appropriate self-care tools, peer supports, treatment options, crisis resources, and more. The hotline has been developed in close collaboration with state partners, including the Utah Department of Human Services and the University of Utah Health UNI Crisis Line. It’s available 7 days a week, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 833-442-2211 if you need help. Interpretation services are available.

What are the types of COVID-19 tests?

There are three types of COVID-19 tests.

PCR test
A PCR test tells you if you have COVID-19 right now and could spread it to other people. A PCR test looks for the genetic material of the virus. It is a very accurate test. A healthcare worker uses a nasal swab to collect a sample from your throat, behind your nose.

Antigen test (rapid test)
An antigen test is a new kind of COVID-19 test. You can get results in minutes. An antigen test looks for proteins found on or within the virus. It tells you if you have COVID-19 right now and could spread it to other people. Like a PCR test, a healthcare worker uses a nasal swab to collect a sample from your throat, behind your nose. Antigen tests are very accurate. However, there is a higher chance of having a false negative test result. This means if you test negative for COVID-19 with an antigen test, you may also need to get a PCR test to make sure you don’t have COVID-19.

Serology or antibody test
Serology, or antibody tests, may be able to tell if you have ever been exposed to the virus that causes COVID-19. A positive antibody test does not guarantee immunity to COVID-19. A sample of your blood is collected and is used to see if your body has made antibodies to the virus. Your body makes antibodies when it fights an infection. Antibodies in your blood mean, at one time, you were exposed to COVID-19. Antibody tests find these antibodies in your blood and tell you if your immune system has responded to the infection.

Do I need to be tested for COVID-19?

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 like a fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, or a decrease in your sense of smell or taste, we recommend you be tested for COVID-19. Call your doctor and isolate right away.

Public health may also recommend you get tested if you came in close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. You should quarantine for 14 days and monitor your symptoms. If you develop symptoms while on quarantine, call your doctor and isolate right away.

You can find a testing location at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/testing-locations/.

Where can I get tested?

Testing locations across Utah can be found at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/testing-locations/.

Is testing for COVID-19 free?

No one should be afraid to get tested because of cost.

Most people will not have to pay for COVID-19 testing. You should not be asked for payment when you go to a testing location. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act and subsequent sub-regulatory guidance ensures the cost of getting a COVID-19 test is covered at 100% if you have health insurance and you have a medical reason to be tested. This means you have symptoms of COVID-19, you have had close contact with someone who has COVID-19, and you have a referral from a healthcare professional.

If you have health insurance:

You should not be charged for a test no matter what testing site you go to.
Healthcare providers are required by federal law to post a cash price for COVID-19 tests. This is to inform health insurance companies what to pay if you get tested by a provider that is out-of-network. If you are insured and have been charged for a test, please email the Utah Department of Health at COVID19TestingCoverage@utah.gov or the Utah Insurance Department at health.uid@utah.gov.
You may be required to have an order from a physician, practitioner, pharmacist, or another authorized health care professional for the cost of your test to be covered. Please check with your individual health insurance company to determine if this is a requirement for coverage. This type of visit or assessment should also be covered at 100%.

If you have Medicare coverage:

Medicare will make payment for one diagnostic test per resident/patient without an order from a physician, practitioner, pharmacist, or other authorized health care professional. All subsequent tests require such an order. This type of visit or assessment should also be covered at 100%.

If you are tested for a non-medical reason:

You may be charged if you are getting tested for employment, travel, or non-medical reasons.
Testing for general workplace health and safety (such as employee ‘return to work’ programs), public health surveillance, or any other purpose not primarily intended for diagnosis or treatment of COVID-19 or another health condition are not included in the requirements of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act and may not be covered by your health insurance.
Check with your health insurance company for coverage details before you get tested.

If you are uninsured and are a U.S. citizen and a Utah resident:

You qualify for COVID-19 testing coverage through Medicaid. You must apply for this program at https://medicaid.utah.gov/covid-19-uninsured-testing-coverage/.
Medicaid COVID-19 testing coverage for the uninsured covers the COVID-19 tests and all testing related services including doctor appointments (both in-person and through telehealth), ER visits, and any services performed in order to diagnose COVID-19, including X-rays, etc. Testing and other services will be paid for back to the date of your services.

If you are uninsured and do not qualify for the Medicaid option:

There are locations that will provide testing free of charge. If you need help finding a location that provides free testing please call the Utah Coronavirus Hotline at 1-800-456-7707 or use the chat feature on the coronavirus.utah.gov website.

Is there still a shortage of testing supplies?

Testing capacity in Utah has increased significantly since the early days of the pandemic. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms, and has no other diagnosis to explain their symptoms, can be tested. People should still call their doctor or use online telehealth services to be directed to testing locations. This will help preserve the supply of protective equipment medical providers use to collect specimens from patients.

Is testing for COVID-19 only available through testutah.com?

No. There are many testing locations throughout the state. Visit https://coronavirus.utah.gov/testing-locations/ to find one near you.

Is there drive-thru testing in Utah?

Yes, there are testing locations across the state. Drive-thru testing sites are usually a part of existing health care clinics. If you think you have COVID-19, call a doctor first. You can find a testing location at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/testing-locations/. Drive-thru testing sites will have healthcare workers who evaluate your symptoms before you are tested. If they feel you should be tested, they will collect a sample from you while you stay in your car. This helps make sure people who may have COVID-19 are not close to other patients at the clinics and to make sure healthcare workers are protected from the virus.

How long does it take to get my test results back?

Your sample will be sent to a lab to be tested. When your sample gets to the lab, it will be tested for COVID-19. The result will be sent to the healthcare provider or testing location where you were tested. It can take up to 5 days to get a test result back. However, surges in testing demands may increase this wait time.

It may take up to 5 days for you to get your test results. If you are negative for COVID-19, it may take longer because those who test positive are called first. People who are in the hospital and healthcare workers who test positive may also be called first before people who test negative. Some healthcare providers may send samples to national labs for testing rather than labs in Utah. These test results can take longer than 5 days to receive.

What should I do while I wait for my test results?

Follow any guidance the health department or your doctor gave you. While you are waiting for your test results, you and everyone living in your house need to act as if you tested positive, until you are told otherwise. This means you should isolate if you are sick. Everyone else who lives in your home should stay quarantined.

Who will call me with my test results?

A healthcare provider who took your sample will call you back with your test results. If you have not been called about your test results within 5 days, call the healthcare provider who took your sample.

If I was tested for COVID-19 by TestUtah.com how will I get my results?

If you were tested through TestUtah.com, you should receive your results in your patient portal. If you need help getting your test result from a TestUtah site, call the TestUtah helpline at 801-683-0790.

Will someone from the health department call me if I need to get tested?

Public health workers do contact tracing when someone tests positive for COVID-19. They will contact those who came into close contact with someone who tested positive. Public health workers may recommend a person who had close contact get tested 5-7 days after their last exposure to the person who tested positive. This allows enough time for the virus to build up in the body so it can be detected by testing.

If I test negative for COVID-19, what should I do?

You should quarantine for 10 days. Or if you are tested on day 7 of quarantine and if you test negative and do not have any symptoms of COVID-19, you can end quarantine.

A negative test does not mean you won’t ever get sick with COVID-19. If you test negative for COVID-19, you probably did not have the virus at the time of your test. This does not mean you will not get sick. It is possible that you were very early in your infection and that you could test positive later, or you could be exposed later and then get sick. Continue to monitor for symptoms during your quarantine and if you do get sick or your symptoms change, call your doctor and isolate right away. You may need to be re-tested for COVID-19.

If you test negative for COVID-19, you should still practice social distancing. Social distancing means to stay away from other people as much as you can. Social distancing is important because it slows the spread of COVID-19. Avoiding crowds protects you and your family. Try to stay at least 6 feet away from other people. Stay home as much as possible.

If I test negative for COVID-19, do I need to be tested again?

What if I test negative yet I was told to quarantine due to a known exposure to COVID-19?

If your test is negative for COVID-19 and you have been told to quarantine because you had a known exposure to COVID-19, you must finish your 14 day quarantine. It may take up to 14 days to know if you will get sick. Call a doctor if your symptoms get worse. If your symptoms get worse, you may need to be tested again for COVID-19. You could still get sick with COVID-19.

If I test negative while on quarantine am I done being on quarantine?

If you were exposed to COVID-19 and asked to quarantine, you should quarantine for at least 10 days. If you are tested on day 7 of quarantine and if you test negative and do not have any symptoms of COVID-19, you can end quarantine. Be aware that it may take up to 14 days to know if you will get sick. Call a doctor if your symptoms get worse. If your symptoms get worse, you may need to be tested again for COVID-19. You could still get sick with COVID-19.

Do I need a doctor’s note to go back to work if my test is negative?

The Utah Department of Health does not recommend employers require evidence of a negative COVID-19 test, a doctor’s note, or a note from the health department to prove they are ill, qualify for sick leave, or to come back to work. This places a burden on the healthcare and public health systems.

Studies show people may test positive long after they are infectious (sometimes more than 45 days after). This means a person who at one time was sick with COVID-19 could still test positive, even though he or she can’t spread the virus to other people anymore. This makes it hard for employees to know when they can return to work if their employer requires a negative test result.

I was at a place where someone who tested positive for COVID-19 was. Do I need to be tested?

Not necessarily. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, or a decrease in your sense of smell or taste), call your doctor and isolate right away. You should get tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms. You can find testing locations at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/testing-locations/.

If you were in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, you should quarantine for 14 days and monitor for symptoms. Call your doctor to find out if you may need to be tested.

Public health workers do contact tracing when someone tests positive for COVID-19. They will contact those at greatest risk of getting the illness. If they don't contact you, it means you were most likely not exposed. In the rare cases that public health feels they may not have the ability to contact all of the close contacts of the individual, they will issue a public statement so everyone will know.

If I am quarantined, do I need to be tested for COVID-19?

The health department may recommend you get tested for COVID-19 if you are quarantined. They will recommend you get tested 5-7 days after your last exposure to the person who tested positive. This allows enough time for the virus to build up in your body so it can be detected by testing.

If you get sick on quarantine, call your doctor and isolate right away. You may need to be tested for COVID-19.

If I test positive and have symptoms of COVID-19, what should I do?

If you test positive for COVID-19 and have symptoms, you should stay isolated from other people until you have been fever-free and your symptoms have gotten better for at least 24 hours and it has been at least 10 days since you first got sick. This means you did not use medicine to lower your fever and all your other symptoms are gone. Other people in your home should quarantine for 14 days since the last time they were around you. Everyone in your house should quarantine until everyone is better.

The health department will call you to give you more instructions on what to do. The health department will also ask you about who you may have come into close contact with up to two days before you got sick. This helps them to know who else may need to be tested for COVID-19. It's important that you call them back if they leave you a message.

You can also find information on quarantine and isolation at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/protect-yourself/.

If I test positive for COVID-19 but don’t have any symptoms, what should I do?

If you test positive for COVID-19 but never had symptoms, you should stay isolated from other people until it has been 10 days since you tested positive.

You can also find information on quarantine and isolation at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/protect-yourself/.

Can they mail a test to your house for you to complete and mail back in?

No. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, call your doctor. Your doctor will decide if you need to be tested. You can also find testing locations at coronavirus.utah.gov/testing-locations.

How do I get tested if I cannot leave my house?

At this time, in-home testing is not available. If you cannot leave your house, try to arrange a ride from a friend or family member. You can also call the High Risk Helpline at 877-424-4640 or 2-1-1. They may have resources available. Do not call 911 or an ambulance to take you to a testing location. You should only call 911 if it is an emergency.

Where can individuals who are homeless get tested?

Individuals who are experiencing homelessness and who have symptoms of COVID-19 can be tested at the Fourth Street Clinic in Salt Lake City. Call 801-364-0058 to schedule an appointment. If an individual experiencing homelessness tests positive, the Salt Lake County Health Department can help them find a quarantine or isolation shelter to recover at. Call the Salt Lake County Nurse Referral Line at 385-389-4843 if you need a quarantine or isolation shelter.

My doctor is refusing to see me/treat me until I have a negative COVID test.

The Utah Department of Health does not recommend employers or healthcare providers require evidence of a negative COVID-19 test to obtain medical care. If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, make sure you call your healthcare provider and tell them you have symptoms BEFORE going to their office or clinic.

How many people in Utah have been tested for COVID-19?

Information about cases of COVID-19 in Utah is posted at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts/ by 1 p.m. daily.

Who in my community has tested positive for COVID-19?

Public health does not release the whereabouts of individuals who have tested positive in order to protect their health privacy. If you are determined to be a close contact of someone with COVID-19, the health department will contact you and provide instructions on what you should do. In the event public health cannot identify close contacts, a statement will be issued to the public at large.

Governor Herbert and Utah's hospital leaders have been telling Utahns for several weeks that sharply increasing COVID-19 cases could strain Utah's hospitals beyond their capacity. This chart demonstrates that COVID cases have increased fivefold in only two months between Sept 5^th and Nov. 5th.

Chart, histogram

Description automatically generated — https://coronavirus.utah.gov/case-counts/

The next figure shows COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased four times (400%) in the same period—the last 8 weeks.

The following chart shows the total number of COVID-19 cases hospitalized throughout the pandemic. About five percent (5%) of Utah’s COVID cases need hospitalization: the more cases, the more demand on hospitals.

During the July surge, the highest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations was 296. As of Nov. 5^th, there were 402 hospitalizations.

The following chart depicts total ICU use for all causes. Throughout the summer, ICU beds were about 70% full. However, beginning in October, 85% of ICU beds have been full. Hospitals ICU units are functionally full when they reach 85%.

Chart

Description automatically generated

The bottom blue line on the graph above shows the percentage of COVID-19 cases in our ICUs, which increased from the July peak surge of 22% to 32% in early November.

Please remember that before the COVID-19 pandemic, Utah’s hospital ICU units were typically from 60% to 70% occupied by patients with heart attacks, strokes, traumatic injuries and other conditions requiring round-the-clock care from skilled nurses, doctors and technologists. Currently, COVID cases have added another 32% of cases.

Utah’s ICU hospital beds are nearly full.

Utahns frequently ask, "Why are hospitals overwhelmed with COVID patients when I know of hospitals that have only a few COVID patients or none at all, and when you've been reporting that statewide ICU utilization is only 70-80%? Doesn’t that mean they have some space left?"

Not all ICU beds are equal.

For many months, community hospitals—including those in rural areas— have been referring COVID patients to higher tier hospitals with expertise, experience and equipment to care for these patients, called "referral hospitals.” While Utah hospitals have about 535 ICU beds, referral hospitals have only 453 ICU beds.

Under normal circumstances regular hospitals take care of most of their own cases, but "refer" complex or more severe cases to the higher tier “referral hospitals.” But in this current major spike in cases, referral hospitals are nearly full. The University of Utah Hospital and Intermountain Medical Center have handled the majority of Utah’s severe COVID cases. Both have been full or nearly full for the last few weeks as have McKay-Dee in Ogden and St. George Hospital in Washington County. The last chart above shows that all referral hospital beds are about 85% full.

Load Leveling Among Hospitals.

The State and the Utah Hospital Association have stood up a virtual transfer command center, which keeps track of ICU and hospital census. Beginning in November, as some hospital ICU units have reached capacity, the command center was called upon to arrange transfers to other hospitals with remaining capacity.

“Beds don’t treat people; people treat people.”

Critical care doctors, nurses and highly-skilled technicians like pulmonary techs have been working nearly round the clock since the pandemic hit Utah last March. They are exhausted and overwhelmed. And as this article explains, we just don’t have enough of them: “Health systems can build more ICU beds and buy more ventilators, but the ICU workforce is less easily expandable. For decades leading up to COVID-19, we have known that a mismatch exists in the U.S. between the need for ICU beds and the number of qualified ICU practitioners. COVID-19 has simply widened this gap.”

At the same time, the constant, intense demand on these professionals, infections and quarantines of front-line healthcare workers, as well as the general life challenges all of us face during this difficult pandemic, have dramatically reduced the available nursing staff as the pandemic drags on. Thus, as we reach maximum hospital ICU capacity, hospitals are making do: 1) doctors and nurses are caring for more patients and work more shifts, increasing the burden on them, and/or 2) the hospital may have to use doctors and nurses that aren't trained or as experienced in critical care. Hospitals have expanded capacity by building additional temporary ICU beds. Staff have had to work many extra shifts. They’ve brought in other doctors and nurses to supplement regular staff. The state has leased skilled nursing facilities for COVID patient overflow.

In the early spikes in Italy, New York, and elsewhere, there were only a handful of those severe hotspots, so they were able to build field hospitals and bring in doctors and nurses from other areas. Unfortunately, the current surge is a national one, so there aren't doctors and nurses available to come help. Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, and Colorado can't send nurses and doctors to help Utah because they're dealing with their own serious spikes.

In the coming days, rural hospitals may no longer be able to refer serious patients (COVID or otherwise) to referral hospitals but will have to do the best they can to care for them. And even at referral hospitals, patients will increasingly be cared for by doctors and nurses who are acting outside their specialty and/or are caring for more patients than is ideal.

When hospitals get overwhelmed: Crisis Standards of Care.

When hospital resources are maxed out, doctors must make tough choices about who gets scarce attention, drugs and supplies. Years ago, the State of Utah with the Utah Hospital Association drafted Crisis Standards of Care, which guides doctors in deciding who gets care and who doesn't, based on who is most likely to survive. The Standards have been updated to reflect the unique issues of the pandemic.

Although no one wants to make such choices, our escalating case counts put us on a trajectory that might require it.

Universal Masking Can Avert Disaster.

This dire result can be avoided or lessened dramatically if Utahns wear masks, socially distance whenever they around others, avoid social gatherings, and take other hygienic measures. Otherwise, Utah could replay the tragedies we saw in Italy, New York and other areas last spring when hospitals were completely inundated with COVID-19 patients.

Do Hospitals Make More Money on COVID Patients?

Some have alleged hospitals make more money treating COVID patients, which incentivizes them to take more COVID patients or to diagnose patients with two or more conditions including COVID as a primary COVID diagnosis. Hospitals and doctors will be reimbursed for treating COVID cases by health insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid based on established rates of payment. There is no upcharge or financial gain for treating a COVID patient or classifying a patient with a primary COVID diagnosis. Hospitals are urging people to avoid contracting COVID so they don’t need hospital care. Hospitals want fewer not more COVID cases.

What is hydroxychloroquine?

Hydroxychloroquine (also known as hydroxychloroquine sulfate) is an arthritis medicine. It is also often used for the treatment of lupus and malaria. It is available in the United States by prescription only. It is sold under the brand name Plaquenil and it is also sold as a generic medicine.

Can hydroxychloroquine be used to treat COVID-19?

Originally, health officials wondered if its anti-inflammation properties would allow hydroxychloroquine to be used similar to Tamiflu. The FDA's five randomized trials have shown that it is not effective for treating COVID. We would encourage more clinical trials.

It's currently a decision for a doctor and a patient to make together for treatment, but the FDA doesn't recommend it for hospital/emergency use.

What does physical or social distancing mean?

Everyone should practice physical or social distancing right now. Physical or social distancing means to stay away from others as much as possible. This is important because it slows the spread of COVID-19. Avoiding crowds protects you and your family. Try to stay at least 6 feet or 2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from other people.

If you must leave your house for essential errands like picking up groceries or medicine, try to stay at least 6 feet from others. Wash your hands, or use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available, as soon as possible. Wear a homemade cloth face mask in public settings or when you are around people you don’t live with where it is hard to practice social distancing.

Can I still use public transportation?

As much as possible, try to stay home and at least 6 feet away from other people. If that is not possible and you need to use public transportation, wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you can. If you are sick, you should not use public transportation. Visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html for more inforamtion on travel during the pandemic.

What is quarantine?

Quarantine is for people who are not sick and don’t have any symptoms of COVID-19, but who may have been exposed to it. You may be asked to quarantine for 14 days if you were exposed to COVID-19. You may have been exposed to the virus if you came in close contact with someone who has COVID-19. Close contact means you were closer than 6 feet or 2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from someone who has the virus for 15 minutes or longer.

A quarantine keeps you away from others so you don’t infect someone else without knowing it.

You should stay in your house and not go around other people as much as possible. Ask someone else to go to the store for you to get groceries or supplies. If that is not possible, try to go to the store only when necessary and pick a time when there are fewer people at the store such as in the early morning. Keep 6 feet of distance between you and other people if you need to go out. I

What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?

Quarantine is for people who may have been exposed to COVID-19, but aren't sick yet. Isolation is for people who are sick or who have tested positive for COVID-19.

What do I do if I am told to quarantine?

While you are on quarantine, you should stay home for 14 days. You should also limit the number of visitors to your home, leave your house only if you have to or to get medical care, try to stay at least 6 feet away from other people, and clean surfaces that are touched often (phones, doorknobs, light switches, toilet handles, sink handles, countertops, and anything metal).

You can find more instructions on what to do if you are on quarantine at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/Care_Booklet_English.pdf.

What if I get sick while on quarantine?

If you get sick with a fever, cough, shortness of breath, muscle aches, sore throat, or a decrease in smell or taste while on quarantine, isolate and call your doctor right away. You may need to be tested for COVID-19. Your close contacts and anyone living in your home should quarantine for 14 days and monitor for symptoms.

If I am on quarantine, do I need to be tested for COVID-19?

Public health workers may recommend you get tested for COVID-19 5-7 days after you were last exposed. This gives enough time for the virus to build up in your body so it can be detected by testing.

If you get sick while on quarantine with a fever, cough, have trouble breathing, muscle aches, sore throat, or a decrease in smell or taste while on quarantine isolate and call your doctor right away. You need to be tested for COVID-19.

If you do not get sick while on quarantine or you test negative for COVID-19, you MUST finish your 14 day quarantine.

When can I stop quarantine?

You can stop quarantine after 14 days, if you never get sick or have any symptoms of COVID-19. It's important that you follow any instructions from the health department while you are on quarantine. Even if you do not get sick while on quarantine or you test negative for COVID-19, you MUST finish your 14 day quarantine.

If I test negative for COVID-19 and feel fine can I stop my 14-day quarantine?

No. If your test is negative for COVID-19 and you have been told to quarantine because you had a known exposure to COVID-19, you must finish your 14 day quarantine. It may take up to 14 days to know if you will get sick.

Will someone from the health department check on me every day to see how I am feeling?

Not always. It depends on where you live. As more and more people test positive for COVID-19, staff at the health departments may not be able to call you every day to see how you are feeling. This is called active monitoring. Self-monitoring is when you monitor your symptoms and track your temperature on your own. If you get sick or have any symptoms of COVID-19 while on quarantine, isolate right away and call a healthcare provider to get tested for COVID-19.

Why do I need to write down my temperature and symptoms for 14 days?

If you have been exposed to COVID-19, it may take up to 14 days to know if you will get sick. This does NOT mean you will get sick, but it is important to write down your temperature and symptoms every day, just in case you do. This will help public health workers know when you and anyone who came into close contact with you can end quarantine or isolation.

How do I monitor my symptoms?

You will need to take your temperature and write it down one time in the morning and one time in the evening each day for 14 days. You will also need to write down if you have other symptoms. You should have received a booklet called, "What to do if you are on quarantine or isolation" from the health department. They also call this a "care" booklet. If you did not get a copy of this, you can find it online at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/Care_Booklet_English.pdf.

What is isolation?

Isolation is for people who are already sick or have tested positive for COVID-19.

Everyone who lives in your house should stay at home if someone in your house tests positive for COVID-19.

Isolation is for sick people who are not sick enough to be in the hospital. Your doctor may tell you to recover at home. Isolation keeps sick people away from healthy people to stop sickness from spreading. Even in your home, you should try to stay away from other people as much as possible. Everyone who lives in your house should stay home if someone in your house tests positive for COVID-19. Stay at home EXCEPT to get medical care.

If you are sick or have tested positive for COVID-19, stay in a different room from other people. You should use a different bathroom than other people. If you can’t stay in a different room or use a different bathroom, stay as far away from other people in your house as possible. Try not to use the same personal items as other people.

You can find more information on isolation at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/protect-yourself/.

What do I do if I am isolated?

Isolation is for people who are sick or have tested positive for COVID-19. Everyone who lives in your house should stay at home if someone in your house tests positive for COVID-19. Isolation means:

Stay home unless you need medical care.
Try to stay in a different room than other people in your house. If this is not possible, stay at least 6 feet away from other people.
Try to use a different bathroom than the other people who live in your house.
Clean surfaces that are touched often (phones, doorknobs, light switches, toilet handles, sink handles, countertops, and anything metal).
Do not travel if you are sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
Wash your hands with soap and water right after you cough, sneeze, or blow your nose. If you do not have soap or water, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Wear a face mask if you have to be around other people (if you have to be in the same room or car). If you can’t wear a face mask because it makes it hard for you to breathe, stay in a different room from other people. If people come into your room, they should wear a face mask.

You can find more information on isolation at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/protect-yourself/.

When should I go to the hospital or call 911 if I am sick with COVID-19?

If your symptoms get worse or you feel like you need to see a doctor or call 911, call and tell them you tested positive for COVID-19 before you go to their office, clinic, or emergency room. This is important so the healthcare workers are prepared for your visit and can take precautions to keep you and others safe. Some of the emergency warning signs are:

If you have trouble breathing or shortness of breath
If you have pain or pressure in your chest that does not go away
If you feel confused or cannot wake up easily
If your lips or face look bluish

These are not all of the emergency symptoms. Call your doctor or 911 if you are worried.

What is the difference between quarantine and isolation?

Quarantine is for people who may have been exposed to COVID-19, but aren't sick yet. Isolation is for people who are sick.

When can I be done with isolation?

If you tested positive for COVID-19 and had symptoms, you should stay isolated from other people until you have been fever-free, and your symptoms have gotten better for at least 24 hours and it has been at least 10 days since you first got sick. This means you did not use medicine to lower your fever and all your other symptoms are gone. Other people in your home should quarantine for 14 days since the last time they were around you. Everyone in your house should quarantine until everyone is better.

If you tested positive for COVID-19 but did not have symptoms, you can stop isolation 10 days after you tested positive.

If you test negative for COVID-19, you must finish your 14-day quarantine even if you don't feel sick.

What is the difference between a shelter in place and stay at home order?

Shelter-in-place originated as, and is intended for, hazardous materials incidents. Shelter-in-place orders would come following an evacuation of the immediate area surrounding a hazmat incident and involve an area outside of the evacuation area. A Shelter-in-place order typically lasts a matter of hours, not days.

Stay at home orders provide guidance, expectations, and restrictions for social distancing. These orders help slow the spread of COVID-19.

There are no stay-at-home orders currently in Utah. To see current and past Executive Orders, visit, https://coronavirus.utah.gov/special-orders/.

If you are an employee or a business owner and have questions about COVID-19, download the COVID-19 Business Manual at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/business/workplace-resources/.

If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, do I need to shut down my business?

No. In most cases, you do not need to shut down your business. Employees who came into close contact up to 2 days before the employee tested positive, or first got sick, should quarantine for 14 days. Close contact means an employee was closer than 6 feet or 2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) for 15 minutes or longer to the person who tested positive. Tell these employees they may have been exposed to COVID-19 and should quarantine. You need to be very careful to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the employee who tested positive.

What should I do if an employee tests positive?

If an employee tests positive for COVID-19, he or she should isolate right away. This means the employee needs to stay at home and away from other people as much as possible. The employee should not come to work.

The health department will call the employee to find out who he or she was in close contact with up to 2 days before getting sick or testing positive. This is called contact tracing. Contact tracing is an important part of how public health responds and stops disease outbreaks. People who have been in close contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19 are at a higher risk of getting infected and infecting others. Contact tracing is how public health workers find the close contacts of someone who has COVID-19.

Only employees who came into close contact with the employee who tested positive will be asked by public health to quarantine for 14 days. Close contact means someone was closer than 6 feet or 2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) to a person who has COVID-19 for 15 minutes or longer. The health department will call and tell employees if they were a close contact to the person who tested positive.

What should I do if an employee is exposed to someone with COVID-19?

If an employee came into close contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19, he or she should quarantine for 14 days and monitor for symptoms. He or she should not go to work while quarantined, even if the employee doesn’t feel sick. It can take up to 14 days for someone to get sick with COVID-19 after he or she has been exposed to it. The employee should quarantine for 14 days after the last time he or she was in close contact with the person who tested positive. The health department may also recommend an employee get tested for COVID-19 if he or she had a known exposure to someone with the disease. Employees should wait 7 days after they were exposed to get tested. The health department will email or text the employee a referral code to use to get tested. Even if the employee tests negative, he or she must still finish the 14-day quarantine.

Should I ask employees to bring in a doctor’s note, negative test result, or a note from the health department to return to work?

No. Employers should not require a COVID-19 test result, a doctor’s note, or a note from the health department for employees who are sick to prove they are ill, qualify for sick leave, or to return to work. This places a burden on the healthcare and public health systems.

You do not need a doctor’s note to get the tax credits under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

Sometimes people will test positive after they are no longer infectious. It is not necessary for employees to have a negative COVID-19 test result after public health has told them they can end quarantine or isolation. If an employee has been told by a public health worker that he or she can end isolation and is feeling well, there is no reason to stay home from work.

I am an essential employee and had a known exposure to COVID-19. When can I return to work?

Essential employees who have had an exposure to COVID-19, but who do not have symptoms, may work if it is needed. Employees can work as long as they don’t have symptoms and follow safety precautions to prevent spread of COVID-19. Please work with your employer to determine if or when you need to stop working or can return to work and any other precautions you need to take.

The CDC also has guidance for critical infrastructure workers at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/critical-workers/implementing-safety-practices.html.

I am a healthcare worker and had a known exposure to COVID-19. When can I return to work?

The CDC also has guidance for healthcare workers who have had a known exposure to COVID-19 at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-risk-assesment-hcp.html.

I work in a long-term care facility and had a known exposure to COVID-19. When can I return to work?

Essential employees who have had an exposure to COVID-19, but who do not have symptoms, may work if it is needed. Employees can work as long as they don’t have symptoms and follow safety precautions to prevent spread of COVID-19. Please work with your employer to determine when they feel you should stop or return to work and what additional precautions you need to take.

The Utah Department of Health also provides guidance for those who work in a long-term care facility at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/COVID-19-Guidance-HCW-LTC-Settings-2.pdf.

For questions about safety precautions, child care subsidies, staffing, or the state’s emergency child care licensing rules and regulations regarding COVID-19, visit https://coronavirus.utah.gov/child-care/.

Where can we find child care?

Utah’s child care resource and referral system, Care About Childcare, is available to help families locate child care for their children. Families can contact Care About Childcare at careaboutchildcare.utah.gov. If you don’t have access to the internet, please call 1-800-670-1552.

COVID-19 is a new disease. We learn more every day about COVID-19 and the best ways to stop it from spreading. We know this can make it very hard for school administrators, teachers, employees, and families to know what to do. Recommendations may change as we learn more about COVID-19. Schools and public health need to be willing to adapt to these changes as we learn more about the best ways to keep students, teachers, and employees safe and schools open for in-person learning.

The COVID-19 School Manual provides up-to-date guidance to help school officials, teachers, and parents make informed decisions about how best to provide a safe learning environment for students and a safe workplace for teachers and employees.

What should a student or teacher do if they test positive for COVID-19?

Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should isolate until his or her symptoms get better and he or she has been fever-free for 24 hours without medicine AND it has been at least 10 days since he or she first had symptoms or tested positive. Students, teachers, and employees should not go to school or work until the health department has said they are done with isolation.

What should a student or teacher do if they were exposed to COVID-19?

Anyone who had a close contact exposure should quarantine for 14 days from the last time he or she was in close contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19.

Public health may recommend a person who was exposed to COVID-19 get tested. However, even if the test is negative, he or she must finish the 14-day quarantine.

If a person who is on quarantine develops symptoms of COVID-19, he or she should isolate and call a healthcare provider right away. He or she will need to be tested for COVID-19.

Who determines if a student or teacher was exposed to COVID-19 at school?

Each school has a point of contact who works closely with the health department on contact tracing. Schools will determine who was exposed to COVID-19 while at school.

Anyone who came into close contact, 6 feet or 2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) with the person who tested positive for COVID-19 is considered exposed and should quarantine at home for 14 days.

What does a close contact exposure mean in a school setting?

A close contact exposure means a person was closer than 6 feet or 2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from someone who tested positive for COVID-19 for 15 minutes or longer.

Anyone who was in close contact with a person who has COVID-19 up to 2 days before he or she had symptoms or tested positive is considered exposed and should quarantine for 14 days.

In a school setting, close contact exposure means:

Anyone in a school setting (like a classroom) or in a school bus who sat 6 feet or 2 meters in the front, back, or to the side of the person who tested positive for 15 minutes or longer.
A teacher, employee (such as a paraprofessional or bus driver), or visitor who was 6 feet or 2 meters for 15 minutes or longer from the person who tested positive.
Anyone who was closer than 6 feet or 2 meters for 15 minutes or longer to the person who tested positive during extracurricular activities (sports, dances, clubs); during a school gathering (assemblies, dances); or during lunch or free periods.

If the health department or point of contact at the school are unable to determine who was in close contact with the person who tested positive, everyone in the classroom, school bus, lunch or free period, extracurricular activity (sports, dances, clubs), or school gathering (assemblies, dances) will be considered exposed exposed and should quarantine for 14 days.

Does wearing a face covering or mask change the definition of close contact?

Wearing cloth face coverings or masks at all times during school reduces the risk of COVID-19. However, the use of cloth face coverings does not eliminate the risk completely. As such, anyone who came into close contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19, even if they were both wearing a cloth face covering or mask, will still be considered exposed and should quarantine for 14 days.

Should students, teachers, or employees provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test result before returning to school?

No. Studies show people may test positive long after they are infectious (sometimes more than 45 days after). This means a person who at one time was sick with COVID-19 could still test positive, even though he or she can’t spread the virus to other people anymore. This makes it hard for students, teachers, and employees to know when they can return to school or work if their school or employer requires a negative test result.

You should not ask students, teachers, and employees who are sick for a COVID-19 test result, a doctor’s note, or a note from the health department to prove they are ill, qualify for sick leave, or to come back to work. This places a burden on the healthcare and public health systems.

Students and employees may not have health insurance, access to a healthcare provider, or the financial means to get a doctor’s note or a negative test result.

If a student who participates in school activities, sports, or clubs tests positive for COVID-19, will the whole group, team, or club be quarantined?

If a student tests positive for COVID-19, the student will need to isolate at home. The student will not be able to go to school or participate in school sponsored extracurricular activities or sports.

Anyone who was in close contact, 6 feet or 2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) with the student should quarantine at home for 14 days. This may include other students who sit closer than 6 feet from the student in class, other participants in events who were in close contact, or teachers and coaches. Even if the people who were exposed test negative for COVID-19, they should finish the 14-day quarantine.

Do I have to quarantine if I travel to Utah?
No. There are currently no COVID-19 travel restrictions in the state of Utah. Visitors to Utah or those returning home to Utah after traveling are not required to quarantine upon arrival.

Do I have to quarantine if I travel to another state?
Several states and cities across the U.S. have a mandatory 14-day quarantine or proof of a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival for those traveling from certain areas, including Utah. Please visit the state website of the area you are traveling to for information.

Where can I get a COVID-19 test before traveling?
Only those who have symptoms of COVID-19 are able to get tested in Utah. There may be private companies which offer rapid COVID-19 testing; however, this testing is not coordinated or offered by the Utah Department of Health. You will need to find this testing on your own and there may be a cost to you for it.

States which require proof of a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival may offer testing to travelers or the option for a mandatory quarantine for those who do not wish to be or who are unable to be tested upon arrival. Please visit the state website of the area you are traveling to for more information.

Should I travel?
Travel increases the chance you may get infected or spread COVID-19. Try to limit non-essential travel during the COVID-19 pandemic as much as you can.

We don’t know if one type of travel is safer than others. If you go to places where many people go (airports, bus stations, train stations, and rest stops) you can be exposed to the virus in the air and on surfaces. These are also places where it can be hard to social distance (keep 6 feet or 2 meters apart from other people).

For up-to-date travel recommendations for business or personal travel, visit the CDC website at https://www.cdc. gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.

What are the risks associated with certain areas?
The CDC recommends you avoid all nonessential travel to certain areas of the world where COVID-19 is widespread. There may also be restrictions entering the U.S. if you travel to these areas. These travel health alerts can be found at https://www.cdc.gov/ coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/map-and-travel-notices.html.

You can find the CDC’s recommendations for what to do after you return from international travel at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/aftertravel-precautions.html.

What do people who have traveled have to do when they come back from a cruise or international travel?
For the most up-to-date recommendations on what to do when you return from a cruise or international travel, visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.

What if an employer is requiring they get a COVID-19 negative test before returning to work after traveling internationally?
Employers should not require a COVID-19 test result, a doctor’s note, or a note from the health department for employees who are sick to prove they are ill, qualify for sick leave, or to return to work. This places a burden on the healthcare and public health systems.

Employers and employees should follow the CDC travel recommendations at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/index.html.

More information for employers and businesses is available at https://coronavirus.utah.gov/business/.

How are deaths from COVID-19 determined?

For information on how deaths from COVID-19 are determined, visit https://coronavirus.utah.gov/covid-19-deaths/.

Can I attend a funeral if the deceased died from COVID-19?

There is currently no known risk associated with being in the same room at a funeral or visitation service with the body of someone who died of COVID-19. However, many funeral homes in Utah are taking extra precautions to avoid mass gatherings and may ask you to come to the funeral in small groups or postpone services.

Can I get COVID-19 from touching the hand of a deceased person?

People should consider not touching the body of someone who has died of COVID-19. Older people and people of all ages with severe underlying health conditions are at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness. There may be less of a chance of the virus spreading from certain types of touching, such as holding the hand or hugging after the body has been prepared for viewing. Other activities, such as kissing, washing, and shrouding should be avoided before, during, and after the body has been prepared, if possible. If washing the body or shrouding are important religious or cultural practices, families are encouraged to work with their community cultural and religious leaders and funeral home staff on how to reduce their exposure as much as possible. At a minimum, people conducting these activities should wear disposable gloves. If splashing of fluids is expected, additional personal protective equipment (PPE) may be required (such as disposable gowns, face shields, or goggles and face masks).

Are employees who work in mortuaries at risk for getting COVID-19?

The CDC has guidance for this matter at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#anchor_1584390222777.

Someone from the CDC called me to participate in a household transmission study. Is this a scam?

No. The Utah Department of Health is collaborating with the CDC on a study to understand how COVID-19 spreads to people who live with someone who tests positive for the disease. This is called household transmission. This study will help us learn more about how many people might be infected before they have any symptoms of COVID-19. If you get a phone call from the health department or the CDC about a household transmission study, please call the number back. The health department and CDC will never ask you for money, your social security number, or banking information.

How do I know the health department calling me isn't a scam?

As part of the disease investigation process, the health department will reach out to individuals who may have been exposed to COVID-19. If you receive a message from the health department, please call the number back right away. The only personal information you will be asked about is your name, date of birth, address, and your email. Health departments will never ask for a social security number, bank information, etc. The health department will also talk to you about what you need to do if you test positive for COVID-19 or need to be on quarantine. You will also be asked about anyone you were in close contact with while you were infectious. This helps the health department notify other people who may be at risk for COVID-19.

If I have recovered from COVID-19, can I donate plasma?

The Red Cross is also seeking people who are fully recovered from COVID-19 and may be able to donate plasma to help current patients with serious or immediately life-threatening COVID-19 infections, or those judged by a healthcare provider to be at high risk of progression to severe or life-threatening disease. More information can be found at https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/dlp/plasma-donations-from-recovered-covid-19-patients.html.

Someone from the CDC called me to ask for money. Is it a scam?

The CDC is aware of a scam asking for individuals to donate money to the CDC. This scam is coming through caller ID or voicemail messages. These calls are a scam. Federal agencies do not request donations from the public. The health department or CDC will never ask you for your social security number, banking information, or for money.

Downloadable apps and some free websites now make it simple for someone to “spoof” a phone call and make it appear to come from any phone number. Unfortunately, current technology doesn’t make it simple to always block these spoofed calls—either on business or personal phones. A spoofed call does not mean that anyone’s telephone has been hacked.

You may also report these calls to the Federal Communications Commission. The Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Department of Justice also provide more information about these types of scams on their websites.

How can I help?

Visit https://coronavirus.utah.gov/help/ to see how you can help during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Can I give blood during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Yes! If you are healthy and feeling well, you can still schedule an appointment to give blood. Now more than ever before, blood donations are needed to help patients counting on lifesaving blood throughout this pandemic. You can visit https://coronavirus.utah.gov/help/ and scroll down to "Donate Blood" to find out more.

Can I donate homemade masks?

At this time the Utah Department of Health is not accepting homemade masks. However, there are other organizations which may be in need of these items.

ProjectProtect is a collaborative effort between Intermountain Healthcare, University of Utah Health, Latter-day Saint Charities, Utah non-profits, and volunteer sewers across the state to manufacture Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for our frontline caregivers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The collaboration is producing face shields, medical-grade masks, and reusable isolation gowns to provide our dedicated healthcare workers with the protection they deserve. Visit https://projectprotect.health/ for more information.

Can I donate personal protective equipment?

Visit https://userve.utah.gov/ppe/ to see a list of personal protective equipment needed for our healthcare workers.

Will I continue to receive Medicaid or CHIP benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic?

In response to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Utah Medicaid will not close any Medicaid or CHIP cases that were eligible as of March 18, 2020. These cases, or members, will continue to receive benefits through the end of this emergency period. Members will be notified at that time if their case will change or close.

Due to COVID-19, Medicaid has also suspended the Community Engagement requirement. Medicaid members do not need to register for work and do not need to complete the assessment, training programs, or job searches. All cases, or members, will continue to receive benefits through the end of this emergency period.

For more information, visit https://medicaid.utah.gov/covid-19/.