Editor’s note: The Salt Lake Tribune is providing free access to critical stories about the coronavirus. Sign up for our Top Stories newsletter, sent to your inbox every weekday morning. To support journalism like this, please donate or become a subscriber.
As the state of Utah ramps up the administration of COVID-19 vaccines — with more than 21,000 reported as vaccinated in the past day — the number of deaths continues to climb. According to the Utah Department of Health, another 22 people have died of coronavirus, as the state total approaches 1,400.
And the numbers of new cases and hospitalizations remain high.
“Effectively, our ICUs are full,” said Dr. Angela Dunn, the state’s epidemiologist, at a Friday news conference. “This is the spike from our winter holidays. … It’s clear we’ve let our guard down.”
Vaccinations reported in past day/total vaccinations • 21,401 / 89,431.
[Read more: Gov. Spencer Cox promises to speed up COVID-19 vaccinations in Utah]
Cases reported in past day • 3,793. The rolling seven-day average for new cases is 3,051 per day.
Deaths reported in past day • 22.
The 22 deaths reported Friday • There were 11 deaths in Salt Lake County. The youngest was a woman between 45 and 64. Two men and three women were 65 to 84, and three men and two women were older than 85.
There were four deaths in Davis County, with the youngest a man 25 to 44. The others were a man 45 to 64, a woman 65 to 84, and a man over 85.
The woman and two men who died in Utah County were all 65 to 84.
There were two deaths in Washington County, a man 45 to 44 and a man 65 to 84; and one death each in San Juan County (a woman 25 to 44) and Weber County (a man 45 to 64).
Hospitalizations reported in past day • 543. That’s up six from Thursday. Of those currently hospitalized, 196 are in intensive care units — nine more than on Thursday.
Tests reported in past day • 13,036.
Percentage of positive tests • 29.1%. This is lower than the seven-day average of 32.7%.
Totals to date • 301,110 cases; 1,381 deaths; 11,679 hospitalizations; 1,803,225 tests.
[Read more: Here is Utah’s plan to start vaccinating teachers next week]
This story is developing and will be updated.
Follow @ScottDPierce