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The Utah Department of Health reported 527 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, although part of that was because of delayed reporting.
According to UDOH, “an issue with a server yesterday ... resulted in delayed reporting for ARUP” (Associated Regional and University Pathologists). However, it’s believed fewer than 40 new cases were delayed.
Even if that number is 39, that would mean 488 new cases — the most since UDOH reported 525 cases on April 27, almost two months ago.
“The increase in cases serves as a reminder that we aren’t out of the woods yet,” according to a statement from UDOH, “and it remains critical for Utahns to get vaccinated, limit your contact with others who are not part of your usual circle, wear a mask when you can’t physical distance, stay home if you’re sick, and wash your hands often.”
The positivity rates were higher than the seven-day averages — albeit exacerbated by the delayed reporting — and there were three more deaths from COVID-19 reported Wednesday.
The rolling seven day average for new cases is now 311. The last time it was above 300 was May 18.
Utah has now confirmed 506 cases of the Delta variant (B.1.617.2) in Utah. That’s No. 3 on the list since the pandemic began, behind the Alpha variant (B.1.1.7) with 2,912, and the Epsilon variant (B.1.42) with 796. (Not all cases of the coronavirus are identified by variants.)
Vaccine doses administered in past day/total doses administered • 7,076 / 2,802,453.
Utahns fully vaccinated • 1,352,269.
Cases reported in past day • 527.
Deaths reported in past day • Three: A Box Elder County woman between the ages of 25-44, a Salt Lake County man 65-84, and a Utah County man 25-44.
Tests reported in past day • 4,539 people were tested for the first time. A total of 7,454 people were tested.
Hospitalizations reported in the past day • 167. That’s eight more than on Tuesday. Of those currently hospitalized, 69 are in intensive care, one fewer than on Tuesday.
Percentage of positive tests • Under the state’s original method, the rate is 11.6%. That’s higher/lower than the seven-day average of 8.6%.
The state’s new method counts all test results, including repeated tests of the same individual. Wednesday’s rate was 7.1%, higher than the seven-day average of 5.7%
[Read more: Utah is changing how it measures the rate of positive COVID-19 tests. Here’s what that means.]
Totals to date • 412,546 cases; 2,336 deaths; 17,347 hospitalizations; 2,770,658 people tested.
