SALT LAKE CITY – On the first day without a statewide mask warrant in November, the number of state COVID-19 cases rose by 407, with two more deaths and 32,887 vaccinations reported Saturday, according to the Utah Department of Health.
According to the health department, the average number of positive cases per day for seven days is now 396. The positive daily test rate for that time period calculated using the “people over people” method is now 7%. The positive daily test rate for that period calculated using the “test over test” method is now 3.4%.
There are now 143 COVID-19 patients currently hospitalized in Utah, including 53 in intensive care, state data show. About 68 percent of the beds in the Utah intensive care unit have been occupied since Saturday, including about 70 percent of the ICU beds in the state’s 16 referral hospitals, according to state data. About 54% of non-ICU hospital beds are occupied in Utah.
A total of 1,683,737 vaccine doses were administered in the state, up from 1,650,850 on Friday. A total of 1,089,914 Utahns have now received at least one dose of vaccine, while 668,371 are now fully vaccinated.
The two deaths reported on Saturday were:
- A woman from Salt Lake County, aged 65 to 84, who has been a long-term resident
- A Utah County man between the ages of 65 and 84 who died in a hospital
As of Saturday, masks will not be required in most settings, according to Utah House Bill 294. Masks will still be needed in some places, including K-12 schools, gatherings of 50 or more people, private businesses that still need them, and government properties, such as Utah National Parks. Grand County and Salt Lake City have also chosen to keep mask warrants in place.
Utah jazz will continue to require game masks. Utah ski resorts also require masks by the end of their respective seasons.
Health officials have called on people to continue wearing masks after the term was lifted.
“Until more people have the chance to get vaccinated, we urge people to continue wearing masks in public places and around those who have not been vaccinated,” Health Department Chief Executive Richard Saunders said Friday. “We have come so far and we are so close to returning to normal. We ask for your patience and cooperation a little more.”