Nearly 15K vaccines administered, 2,892 new COVID-19 cases reported

On Thursday, December 24, the Utah Department of Health reports a daily total of 2,892 additional cases of COVID-19 and nine more deaths. A total of 260,589 Utahns have tested positive for COVID-19.

The state reported 1,677,510 people tested to date. This is an increase of 10,631 people tested from yesterday.

The rolling 7-day average for positive tests per day is 2,379. The rolling 7-day average of positive laboratory tests is 24%.

There are 561 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19. Total hospitalizations from the beginning of the outbreak are 10,406.

Utah Department of Health is reporting 1,204 total deaths. One previous death has been removed from the total and is under further investigation.

• 5 males:
  • between 45-64, Davis County resident, hospitalized at time of death
  • between 65-84, Salt Lake County resident, not hospitalized
  • between 65-84, Salt Lake County resident, not hospitalized
  • older than 85, Salt Lake County resident, hospitalized at time of death
  • older than 85, Utah County resident, long-term care facility resident
• 4 females
  • between 65-84, Salt Lake County resident, hospitalized at time of death
  • between 65-84, Salt Lake County resident, hospitalized at time of death
  • between 25-55, Utah County resident, hospitalized at time of death
  • between 45-64, Weber County resident, hospitalized at time of death

The COVID-19 Transmission Index is a balanced approach intended to protect communities. It represents the collaborative work of state and local public health officials, the Governor’s Office, legislative leaders, the hospital industry, and business leaders.

The transmission index clarifies the public health metrics used 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.

Data will be analyzed weekly; counties will be placed into a transmission level depending solely on what information their data shows. Changes from a lower level to a higher level may occur weekly. Changes from a higher level to a lower level may occur every 14 days at a minimum when thresholds are met.