Record number of new virus-related deaths reported, over 3,200 new cases added

On Thursday, December 17, the Utah Department of Health reported a daily total of 3,203 additional cases of COVID-19 and 30 more deaths. A total of 243,918 Utahns have tested positive for COVID-19.

The state reported 1,613,248 people tested to date. This is an increase of 12,885 people tested from yesterday.

The rolling 7-day average for positive tests per day is 2,570. The rolling 7-day average of positive laboratory tests is 22.26%.

There are 556 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19. Total hospitalizations from the beginning of the outbreak are 9,791.

• Female, older than 85, Morgan County resident, not hospitalized at time of death
• Female, between 65-84, Weber County resident, hospitalized at time of death
• Male, between 65-84, Iron County resident, not hospitalized at time of death
• Male, between 65-84, Washington County resident, hospitalized at time of death
• Female, older than 85, Salt Lake County resident, long-term care facility resident
• Female, older than 85, Salt Lake County resident, long-term care facility resident
• Male, older than 85, Salt Lake County resident, long-term care facility resident
• Male, between 45-64, Weber County resident, long-term care facility resident
• Female, older than 85, Weber County resident, not hospitalized at time of death
• Male, between 45-64, Carbon County resident, hospitalized at time of death
• Male, between 65-84, Cache County resident, hospitalized at time of death
• Female, between 65-84, Salt Lake County resident, long-term care facility resident
• Female, older than 85, Salt Lake County resident, hospitalized at time of death
• Male, between 45-64, Weber County resident, long-term care facility resident
• Female, between 65-84, Utah County resident, long-term care facility resident
• Female, between 65-84, Utah County resident, long-term care facility resident
• Female, between 65-84, Box Elder County resident, hospitalized at time of death
• Female, between 65-84, Salt Lake County resident, long-term care facility resident
• Male, between 65-84, Davis County resident, not hospitalized at time of death
• Female, older than 85, Sevier County resident, not hospitalized at time of death
• Male, between 65-84, Salt Lake County resident, long-term care facility resident
• Male, between 65-84, Sanpete County resident, hospitalized at time of death
• Female, between 45-64, Weber County resident, long-term care facility resident
• Male, older than 85, Salt Lake County resident, long-term care facility resident
• Female, older than 85, Salt Lake County resident, long-term care facility resident
• Male, between 65-84, Cache County resident, hospitalized at time of death
• Male, between 65-84, Utah County resident, hospitalized at time of death
• Male, between 65-84, Utah County resident, long-term care facility resident
• Male, between 45-64, Utah County resident, hospitalized at time of death
• Female, between 65-84, Weber County resident, hospitalized at time of death

The state of Utah has defined its new transmission index guidance system:

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.

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.