SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Health is restricting non-urgent medical procedures to preserve essential supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"In order to preserve masks, gloves, and other protective equipment for medical professionals assisting in the fight against COVID-19 in Utah, the Utah Department of Health has announced restrictions on medical, dental, and veterinary procedures that are non-urgent," a news release from the State of Utah said.
Guidance from the federal centers for Medicare and Medicaid Service said elective procedures such as colonoscopies, cataracts, endoscopies and others can be delayed without endangering patients.
"Postponing non-essential procedures is a crucial step to help our health systems preserve PPE, and other resources that are crucial in our efforts to treat patients with coronavirus," said Dr. Joseph Miner, executive director of the Utah Department of Health.
The order is effective from March 25 through April 25.
"As we look at the experiences of other states and regions of the world, it's clear that those who are proactive in securing a supply of PPE are far better equipped when they see a surge of COVID-19 patients being admitted to hospitals," Governor Herbert wrote in the news release."
