The omicron variant is pushing COVID-19 infection numbers in Utah to their highest point in the pandemic. So how did we get to this point? Here's a look back at how the state handled the pandemic early on.
Health officials say, at least for now,Amid the surge, medical providers havebecause of dwindling supply, and University of Utah Hospital has had to close down 50 beds due to staffing shortages.
And making matters more complicated, it’s gotten harder over the past two years for state and local health officials to take action on containing disease spread — as Utah lawmakers frustrated by pandemic restrictions have redistributed the state’s emergency powers. In the wake of the changes, efforts to enforce mask orders have largely been undermined or overturned.The pandemic hit during the last year of former Gov.
Herbert didn’t exercise his full powers during those first few months, declining to issue the broad stay-home orders
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Covid-19: No further Covid-related deaths and 2,668 casesThe total number of deaths linked to the virus reported by the Department of Health is 3,035.
Read more »
Utah Senate leader tests positive for COVID-19Stuart Adams was scheduled to join other state leaders at a Friday news conference to discuss Utah’s response to rising case numbers from the omicron variant, but he did not attend. The positive test prompted his absence.
Read more »
COVID-19 exposure notification system launches for Alaska smartphone users after delaysA COVID-19 exposure notification app is launching for Alaska smartphone users. Officials say the app, which has been in the works for over a year, is another tool to help reduce virus spread — but its usefulness depends on how many people opt in.
Read more »
Thousands of free COVID-19 tests distributed at Summit County drive-thru sites on SaturdayThe Akron City Council hosted a series of drive-thru events on Saturday to distribute more than 3,000 free at-home COVID-19 test kits.
Read more »
Increasing COVID-19 outbreaks among California nursing home workersWith the rapid spread of the omicron variant, data shows 10,000 California nursing home workers are infected right now, with roughly 800 new cases of COVID-19 tallied each day. The state is allowing health care workers who test positive and are asymptomatic to continue coming to work.
Read more »