Utah health guidance levels

COVID-19 Transmission Index

The COVID-19 Transmission Index represents the collaborative work of state and local public health, the Governor’s Office, the hospital industry, business leaders, and important guidance from legislative leadership on the elements of the approach to protect communities.

The index uses defined public health metrics to determine which counties are placed in which transmission level. Counties will be placed in one of three transmission levels: High, Moderate, or Low. These levels correspond directly to case rates, positivity rates, and ICU utilization.

The index serves as an advisory tool for the steps individuals and businesses can take to help limit the spread of COVID-19 in their communities.

Transmission index metrics

Metric

7-day average percent positivity

14-day case rate per 100K population*

Statewide ICU utilization
(7-day average)

High level of
transmission

≥ 10%

≥ 325/100K

Total utilization ≥72%

AND

≥15% COVID-19
ICU Utilization

Moderate level
of transmission

5.1-9.9%

101 – 324 /100K

Total utilization 69-71.9%

AND

6-14.9% COVID-19
ICU Utilization

Low level of
transmission

≤ 5.0%

≤ 100/100K

Total utilization ≤ 68.9%

AND

≤ 5.9% COVID-19
ICU Utilization

A transmission level (high, moderate, low) is determined if a county has two of the three metrics in the designated level of transmission.

*Frontier counties (those with fewer than six people per square mile) with less than or equal to 14 cases in the previous 14 days will automatically be designated as “low” transmission. Frontier counties with more than 14 cases in the previous 14 days will have their transmission level determined using the standard transmission index criteria.

Transmission index metrics

High level of transmission

7-day average percent positivity
≥ 10%

14-day case rate per 100K population*
≥ 325/100K

Statewide ICU utilization
(7-day average)
Total utilization ≥ 72%

AND

≥ 15% COVID-19 ICU Utilization

Moderate level of transmission

7-day average percent positivity
5.1-9.9%

14-day case rate per 100K population*
101 – 324 /100K

Statewide ICU utilization
(7-day average)
Total utilization 69-71.9%

AND

6-14.9% COVID-19 ICU Utilization

Low level of transmission

7-day average percent positivity
≤ 5.0%

14-day case rate per 100K population*
≤ 100/100K

Statewide ICU utilization
(7-day average)
Total utilization ≤ 68.9%

AND

≤ 5.9% COVID-19 ICU Utilization

A transmission level (high, moderate, low) is determined if a county has two of the three metrics in the designated level of transmission.

Transmission index by county (PDF)

Counties in High Level of Transmission

Beaver
Box Elder
Cache
Carbon
Davis
Emery
Grand
Iron
Millard
Morgan
Salt Lake
San Juan
Sanpete
Sevier
Summit
Tooele
Uintah
Utah
Wasatch
Washington
Wayne
Weber

Counties in Moderate Level of Transmission

Duchesne
Kane
Juab

Counties in Low Level of Transmission

Daggett
Garfield
Piute
Rich

All Utahns ages 5 and older can get the vaccine.

If you are 5 to 17 years old, you can only receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Visit vaccinefinder.org to find a location that offers the Pfizer vaccine.

Booster dose recommendations

Booster doses are available for anyone ages 18 or older who got their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least 6 months ago or their first dose of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least 2 months ago.

The CDC allows mixing-and-matching of COVID-19 vaccines to help provide greater flexibility and increased protection for people getting booster shots. People can get a different type of booster vaccine than the type of vaccine they originally received.

Where can I get vaccinated?

Local health departments

Healthcare providers

Local pharmacies

CDC's Vaccinefinder.org

Social gatherings

Such as family dinner, get togethers with friends, book club

Recommendation: Practice physical distancing and wearing a mask unless you are outdoors, by yourself or with members of your same household.

If you are fully vaccinated, follow guidance here.

Masks

Masks are recommended for crowded, indoor spaces where physical distancing is not possible.

Businesses may post signage listing COVID-19 symptoms and face mask or physical distancing requirements.

Download Business Signs (Zip) | En Español (Zip)

High level of transmission

Recommended for crowded, indoor spaces where physical distancing is not possible

Businesses may post signage listing COVID-19 symptoms and face mask or physical distancing requirements

Download Business Signs (Zip)
En Español (Zip)

Moderate level of transmission

Recommended for crowded, indoor spaces where physical distancing is not possible

Businesses may post signage listing COVID-19 symptoms and face mask or physical distancing requirements

Download Business Signs (Zip)
En Español (Zip)

Low level of transmission

Recommended for crowded, indoor spaces where physical distancing is not possible

Businesses may post signage listing COVID-19 symptoms and face mask or physical distancing requirements

Download Business Signs (Zip)
En Español (Zip)

Physical distancing

Between household groups where feasible, even at social gatherings

Wash hands often

Stay home when sick

Follow public health quarantine/isolation guidance

What is quarantine? (PDF Updated 12/2020)
What is isolation? (PDF Updated 12/2020)
What to do if you are on quarantine or isolation for COVID-19 (PDF Updated 12/2020)

Protect yourself and others

Resources for all businesses:

Refer to Business Manual
May post signage listing COVID-19 symptoms, asking employees and customers with symptoms to stay home, and face mask or physical distancing requirements Download Business Signs (Zip) | En Español (Zip)

Organized Events

Organizers of in-person events may choose to adopt the following recommendations to ensure the health and safety of attendees.

Masks are recommended for crowded, indoor spaces where physical distancing is not possible.

Consider using an Event Management Template for contact tracing purposes if COVID-19 cases are identified at the event.

May post signage listing COVID-19 symptoms, asking employees and customers with symptoms to stay home, and face mask or physical distancing recommendations. Download Business Signs (Zip) | En Español (Zip)

K-12 School Recommendations

Our goal is to keep children healthy while attending school in-person. Learn more

Higher Education

Refer to USHE/individual university/college reopening plans