SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Health's COVID-19 report for Friday shows an additional 1,107 cases—bringing the state's total to 75,157—and an additional 15 deaths.
"Of the 15 new deaths we are reporting today: Nine occurred during the last week, two occurred earlier in September, two occurred in August, and two occurred in July. The deaths we report on a daily basis often occur several days, or even weeks, prior to our reporting them publicly," a statement accompanying Friday's report said. (Scroll down to read the full statement.)
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 845,583 people in Utah have been tested for the disease.
Utah's rolling seven-day average for positive tests is 945 per day, and the rolling seven-day average for percent of positive laboratory tests is 13.7.
3,916 people in Utah have required hospitalization for COVID-19. Of those, 190 remain hospitalized.
The 15 additional deaths reported Friday are:
- Female, between 45-64, Utah County resident, long-term care facility resident
- Female, between 45-64, Salt Lake County resident, long-term care facility resident
- Female, between 65-84, Salt Lake County resident, hospitalized
- Male, between 65-84, Tooele County resident, hospitalized
- Male, between 65-84, Utah County resident, hospitalized
- Male, between 65-84, Utah County resident, not hospitalized
- Female, between 65-84, Salt Lake County resident, hospitalized
- Male, older than 85, Sanpete County resident, not hospitalized
- Female, older than 85, Washington County resident, long-term care facility resident
- Male, between 65-84, Davis County resident, hospitalized
- Female, between 25-44, Davis County resident, hospitalized
- Female, between 65-84, Weber County resident, not hospitalized
- Male, between 25-44, Utah County resident, hospitalized
- Female, between 65-84, Salt Lake County resident, hospitalized
- Male, between 45-64, Salt Lake County resident, long-term care facility resident
56,167 of Utah's cases are considered "recovered." A case with a diagnosis date of more than three weeks ago, who has not passed away, is considered recovered.
Please note the following regarding today's increase in reported deaths: The net increase of 15 deaths we are reporting today requires some interpretation and background. First, as always, the number of deaths we report each day does not mean these deaths all occurred in the past 24 hours. It would be inaccurate to report the state experienced 15 new deaths in the past day. Of the 15 new deaths we are reporting today: Nine occurred during the last week, two occurred earlier in September, two occurred in August, and two occurred in July. The deaths we report on a daily basis often occur several days, or even weeks, prior to our reporting them publicly. This is due to the time it takes for deaths to be reported by hospitals, long-term care facilities, or funeral homes to the Office of the Medical Examiner (OME), and for the OME to conduct its death investigation. Circumstances of the four deaths from July and August were recently referred to the OME for further investigation. After conducting investigations, the OME yesterday certified each of the four as COVID-related deaths. In addition, as we have discussed, deaths are a lagging indicator. Just as we anticipate increased hospitalizations to follow a surge in cases, we anticipate increased deaths to follow that surge as well.
Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Erik Christensen issued the following media statement.
"Our office has seen a notable increase in the number of COVID-related death investigations we have conducted in the past several days. While we would expect this increase given the current surge in case counts it does not make these deaths any less tragic. "Everyday at the Office of the Medical Examiner there are harsh reminders of the seriousness of this disease. I see first-hand the devastating impacts it has on those who are left behind. Let me be clear, these deaths are preventable. None of the individuals who we determine to have died from COVID-19 would have suffered this fate at the time they did had they not been infected with COVID-19."I implore everyone to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by wearing masks, maintaining physical distancing when you can, and if you are sick please stay away from others - especially those who are at a higher risk for severe illness."