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Utah coronavirus cases, hospitalizations continue to decrease

The Department of Health and Human Services releases updated COVID-19 metrics each week.

(Illustration by Christopher Cherrington | The Salt Lake Tribune) Based on state data typically released each Thursday, The Salt Lake Tribune created three graphs to visualize the latest on COVID-19 case counts, hospitalizations and deaths in Utah.

The most recent state health data shared Thursday, May 25, shows COVID-19 case counts and hospitalizations remain low.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention no longer provides community transmission levels after the U.S. public health emergency declaration for the coronavirus ended May 11.

Understand the latest Utah COVID-19 trends with these graphs from The Salt Lake Tribune, based on the latest state data:

Current sewage data indicates one of the 34 sites across the state showed elevated amounts of coronavirus as of May 25, according to the Utah Department of Environmental Quality.

Out of the state’s 34 sites, four reported enough of the virus that they are on “watch” status, meaning there’s a possibility that those sites could see elevated levels soon. The remaining sites reported low levels.

Overall, wastewater trend analyses indicate the amount of COVID-19 has plateaued at 23 sites. Nine sites reported decreasing trends of the virus, while four sites — near Brigham City, Clearfield, Bountiful, Heber City, Orem, Provo, Price, Cedar City, and St. George — reported increasing trends.

Breakdown of updated COVID-19 metrics in Utah, as of May 25:

Vaccine doses administered in the past week/total doses administered • The Utah Department of Health and Human Services did not report updated vaccine information this week because of an error with the Utah Statewide Immunization Information System and EpiTrax, an epidemiological surveillance database. It’s unclear when the issue will be resolved.

Cases reported in the past week • 422.

Average cases per day reported in the past week • 60.

Deaths reported in the past week • Two.

Sevier County reported the death of a man age 45-64, and Washington County reported the death of a man, age 85 or older.

Hospitalizations reported this week • As of Thursday, 32 Utahns were hospitalized with COVID-19 — 16 fewer than the previous week. There were six patients in intensive care Thursday, eight fewer than reported last Thursday.

The seven-day average for people hospitalized with COVID-19 remained the same as last week at 65. The seven-day average for new hospital admissions decreased about 9% to 7.

Percentage of positive tests • As of March 14, when the state changed its “communicable disease rule,” DHHS stopped reporting this information.

“This changed the reportability of COVID-19 testing, specifically removing negative reporting for a large portion of tests. Due to this change, percent positivity will no longer be updated,” according to the state’s COVID-19 dashboard.

Totals to date • 1,098,433 cases; 5,376 deaths; 43,110 hospitalizations.

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