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The Utah well being division is getting ready to transition all COVID-19 testing to the well being care system within the coming weeks; nevertheless, officers despatched a reminder Monday that public well being testing continues to be accessible within the state up till that occurs.
The Utah Division of Well being launched its testing websites for the week on Monday, which incorporates dozens of web sites throughout the state. Because the variety of individuals getting examined declines, not one of the websites require a reservation.
A number of the common day by day places are closed Monday for Presidents Day. That listing consists of:
- 5-C Freeport West (Clearfield): Website reopens at 8 a.m. on Tuesday
- Cory Wride Park (Eagle Mountain): Website reopens at 9 a.m. on Tuesday
- Utah State Fairpark (Salt Lake Metropolis): Website reopens at 11 a.m. on Tuesday
- Willow Park (Lehi): Website reopens at 1 p.m. on Wednesday
The total listing of testing web site places, testing instances and different necessary info concerning COVID-19 testing will be discovered on-line, right here.
The well being division will not present its day by day COVID-19 case replace Monday due to the vacation. These day by day updates, which originated in March 2020, can even be phased into weekly reviews by the top of subsequent month as Utah well being care programs take over testing.
Utah's seven-day, operating common of latest instances dropped to 1,055 new instances per day in comparison with almost 11,000 on Jan. 18, because the well being division reported on Friday. The state's "take a look at over take a look at" seven-day common charge of constructive exams additionally fell from 47% on Jan. 21 to 26% on Feb. 12.
Regardless that the demand for exams has fallen because the variety of new instances has declined, the well being division nonetheless recommends sure individuals get examined ought to they expertise signs.
- Folks with "vital" underlying situations. The well being division mentioned individuals on this class can also be eligible for remedies like monoclonal antibodies or antiviral drugs.
- Aged individuals.
- Individuals who plan to go to somebody who's weak due to age or underlying situations.
- Individuals who work with weak populations, reminiscent of well being care employees, long-term care facility staff or individuals who dwell and work in congregate settings.
- Individuals who have been sick, are bettering and wish to affirm they not have COVID-19.
- People who find themselves touring to someplace that requires a unfavorable COVID-19 take a look at.
Gov. Spencer Cox, who introduced the upcoming, gradual transfer to a "regular state," mentioned Friday that Utah is in a "significantly better place" than it was when COVID-19 was first reported to be within the state almost two years in the past. That is as a result of it is simpler to seek out COVID-19 testing now, and there's additionally a vaccine and coverings that may assist cut back the consequences of the coronavirus that did not exist in March 2020.
"We've got instruments right now that we did not have two months in the past, together with widespread residence exams and antiviral drugs," the governor, added in his reasoning to reduce Utah's pandemic response. "It is now time to transition out of an emergency posture and right into a manageable threat mannequin."
Cox went on to say Friday that testing, both at residence or by means of varied well being care programs, will nonetheless be necessary after March 31. He mentioned the state well being division can even proceed to supervise illness surveillance, knowledge assortment, vaccinations and public consciousness of the coronavirus.
"This isn't the top of COVID," he mentioned, "however it's the starting of treating COVID as we do different seasonal respiratory viruses."