Thursday evening, March 26, 2020
STATE
Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Crack 400
The Utah Department of Health announced that as of Thursday, the state has seen 402 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 14 of those being non-residents. But health officials say the rate of new cases has slowed, although testing hasn’t, as more than 7,700 Utahns have been screened for the virus. Utah has still only seen one death related to the disease. — Grace Osusky
Follow KUER’s coverage of the coronavirus in Utah.
Unemployment Claims See Huge Increase
Workers in Utah are being hit hard by the economic impacts of social distancing. 19,951 Utahns filed new unemployment insurance claims last week which represents a 1391% increase from the week before, according to numbers released by the Department of Workforce Services Thursday. The food service, office and administrative support, and management industries have been hardest hit. As far as location, Salt Lake County led the way, with Utah County being second. — Sonja Hutson
Utah Congressional Delegation Supports Stimulus Package
Utah’s congressional delegation is supporting a $2 trillion COVID-19 economic relief bill that the U.S. Senate passed Wednesday. It will likely be up for a vote in the House Friday. It’s a compromise between Republicans and Democrats and includes direct payments to most American adults, increased unemployment insurance, and grants for small businesses. Sen. Mitt Romney said the bill will help Utahns but it isn’t perfect. Rep. Ben McAdams, who’s currently battling COVID-19 in the hospital, also said the bill has some issues but will provide a “lifeline” to working Utah families. — Sonja Hutson
NORTHERN UTAH
Salt Lake City Contemplates Stay At Home Order
A stay at home order may be necessary in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, according to the Salt Lake City and County mayors. They have been asking the state to issue an order, but if it doesn't, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall says the city will enact its own. — Sonja Hutson
Aftershocks Continue Across Wasatch Front
Two more aftershocks rattled the Salt Lake Valley Thursday morning. A magnitude 3.0 and 3.3 earthquake rumbled through just after 10 a.m. according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Officials with the Utah Division of Emergency Management said that what we’re experiencing is still normal. Even though the quakes happened a little closer to Salt Lake City than before, it still doesn’t indicate anything larger is coming. There have been more than 400 aftershocks to hit the Wasatch Front since the 5.7 Magna earthquake hit last week. — Ross Terrell
