Utah
Despite reaching 5,000 deaths, Utah’s COVID-19 numbers are down
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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah reached a grim milestone within the COVID-19 pandemic this week, surpassing 5,000 virus associated deaths. The director of the World Well being Group mentioned Wednesday, “the tip is in sight,” even when Utah just isn’t there but.
Regardless of the beautiful variety of deaths throughout the pandemic, Utah’s COVID-19 numbers are trending in the correct route. When requested whether or not Utah was nearing the tip of the pandemic, Dr. Leisha Nolen, state epidemiologist with the Utah Division of Well being and Human Companies, mentioned it relies on the definition of the tip.
“We’ll have COVID with us for a very long time,” Nolen mentioned. “It is going to trigger sporadic illness. It is going to trigger waves. However, it’s totally totally different than what we have handled for the final two years. So the dramatic deaths, the dramatic waves, hopefully we’re previous that.”
COVID-19 remains to be circulating in Utah communities. However Nolen mentioned the virus is nowhere close to the degrees skilled over the last 2 1/2 years.
The Utah Division of Well being and Human Companies reported 2,487 new instances of COVID-19 throughout the previous week and 12 extra deaths. The each day common for confirmed new instances over the previous week was 355.
However, Nolen factors out that testing is incomplete as a result of many individuals are utilizing at dwelling checks now.
COVID-19 is performing considerably predictably, she mentioned, and hopefully that continues.
“There’s nonetheless COVID on this state,” the state epidemiologist mentioned, “however it’s not at tremendous excessive ranges, proper now.”
(COVID is) going to trigger sporadic illness. It is going to trigger waves. However, it’s totally totally different than what we have handled for the final two years.
–Dr. Leisha Nolen, state epidemiologist
Nevertheless, COVID-19 has stunned well being specialists world wide earlier than.
“We might be fallacious,” Nolen mentioned. “There might be mutations that trigger a brand new wave to return via that’s actually dramatic. However, it looks like we’re attending to extra of a secure place the place we’ll have waves that come via that have an effect on us however do not trigger a lot demise and do not trigger as a lot extreme illness.”
Boosters that concentrate on omicron variants can be found.
“I’d undoubtedly suggest that everyone go get that,” the epidemiologist mentioned.
Every of the final two years, the virus spiked within the winter and that might occur once more this winter.
However for now, “individuals ought to reap the benefits of this time,” Nolen mentioned. “I need everyone to be secure and wholesome, and have a superb time.”
As many individuals discovered earlier within the pandemic, it is essential to know your personal danger and the danger degree for these near us — and take precautions accordingly.