Friday evening, March 20, 2020
STATE
COVID-19 Cases Double This Week
The Department of Health announced Friday there were 112 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Utah, 102 of those are residents. That number has nearly doubled since Wednesday when there were only 53 resident cases. The most common cause of the virus is still travel related but the department says they are seeing more cases come from community spreading. — Jessica Lowell
Follow KUER’s coverage of the coronavirus in Utah.
Roundup Of Attorney General’s Race
Five candidates are vying to unseat Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, who is running for re-election. Former Republican Attorney General John Swallow resigned in 2013 amid public corruption allegations. He was later acquitted of all charges. Also in the race is Republican Utah County Attorney David Leavitt, Libertarian criminal defense attorney Rudy Bautista, Democrat defense attorney Greg Skordas, and Democrat litigation attorney Kevin Rollo Probasco. — Sonja Hutson
Bomb Threats Made At Hospital
Authorities say a man upset about not getting tested for the coronavirus threatened to bring a bomb to a Utah hospital earlier this week. A probable cause statement alleges that Brian James Gosh made the threat after he called the hospital Wednesday and was told he couldn't get tested for COVID-19. He was arrested on suspicion of threat of terrorism and has not yet been charged. Intermountain Medical Center officials didn't immediately return an email seeking comment about the incident. — Associated Press
Could Rheumatoid Arthritis Drugs Help Fight COVID-19?
Some Utah state senators met Friday to discuss two drugs, commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, that could be given to older patients to help fight COVID-19. Mark Evans, with the Utah Department of Health, says these medications should be used sparingly because if the supply is drained, we are harming each other. Lawmakers also stressed although these drugs are not a cure, they could help more vulnerable populations recover and avoid serious illnesses related to COVID-19. — Grace Osusky
SOUTHERN UTAH
Fishing Tournament Cheaters
Two men from Washington City face several charges after getting caught cheating during a two-day Lake Powell fishing tournament. The men took largemouth bass from Quail Creek Reservoir, put them in Lake Powell and caught them there during the tournament. They won the prize for biggest fish but were later disqualified. Utah law prohibits moving live fish to different areas without proper certification.The two men could be charged with a third degree felony for bribery or threat to influence a contest, among other charges. — Grace Osusky
NORTHERN UTAH
Governor And Salt Lake County Square Off Over Public Health
Salt Lake County is modifying its public health order that limits gatherings to 10 people in order to slow the spread of coronavirus. The move comes after concerns from Gov. Gary Herbert over penalties associated with the order. He tweeted that Salt Lake County did not consult with the state about its public health order and the county should repeal it immediately. Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson said they didn’t do anything wrong, and she’s directed the county not to enforce those penalties. Read the full story. — Sonja Hutson
REGION
San Miguel County Testing All Residents For COVID-19
Amid a nationwide testing shortage, San Miguel County, in Colorado, plans to test everyone for COVID-19 starting early next week. The county, home to the ski town of Telluride, isn’t just doing the usual nose and throat swabs. Instead they plan to draw blood and look for antibodies — evidence that a person is either fighting the virus, or has already fought it off in the past and recovered. Residents will be offered two tests, one two weeks after the other. A private company is doing the analysis. — Rae Ellen Bichell, Mountain West News Bureau
