By Rebecca Dopp
TN Correspondent
Juab County has been deemed a high risk area for Coronavirus by the State of Utah, a move that surprised county commissioners. “Juab County’s input in that was absolutely zero,” said Clinton Painter, commission chairman, in a FaceBook Live session. He explained that the county had wanted to apply to the state about four weeks ago to move to the green category, or minimal risk, but before that could be approved, the county’s COVID-19 numbers started to go up. In a press conference last Tuesday, Governor Gary Herbert announced that the state would be going away from the color-coded system for each region and would put into place a new plan of action to stem the tide of record-breaking case numbers. “We are having one of the worst outbreaks in the country and this is unacceptable,” Herbert said in the livestreamed news conference. Counties will now be classified based on a combination of case rate, positivity rate and hospitalization, and each will be listed as high, moderate or low. Each week the state will announce changes to the risk category of each county based on the area’s conditions. Each risk category comes with its own set of rules and restrictions, Herbert said. The transmission index metrics per county, on the coronavirus.utah.gov website, states that a high level of transmission (high risk) would have a 7-day average percent positivity rate at >= 13% or >= 325/100K; a 14-day case rate per 100K population* total utilization >=72%; and statewide ICU utilization (7-day average) at >=15% COVID-19 ICU Utilization. A transmission level (high, moderate, low) is determined if a county has two of the three metrics in the designated level of transmission, states the website. * If a county has <= 20 cases over the last 14 days, the recommendation will be listed as “Review.” Counties with low case volume shouldn’t be evaluated with strict criteria since a small change in cases can result in large swings in the measures, which may not represent the actual situation. Painter, in his FaceBook Live session, explained what that entails. The ICU utilization metric means that the state wants to keep the capacity at a level that won’t overwhelm the system. Overall ICU utilization needs to be below 72% while the COVID-19 ICU utilization needs to be below 15%. “All areas use the ICU throughout the state,” said Painter. Juab County typically runs patients to Utah Valley Regional Medical Center in Provo for ICU cases, he said. Because that happens, ICU utilization in the county remains low. Central Valley Medical Center has a limited number of ICU beds that it can utilize. “That does benefit us,” he said. He went on to explain that the state used the 14-day average per 100K as a “fairness” tool across the entire state, even though Juab County only has 11,554 residents. He showed the math that was involved with this metric. Take 100,000 divided by 11,554 (population of the county) and you get 8.655 (each person in the county/100K). He used the amount of positive cases at the time, 53, and multiplied it by 8.655 to get 458.7 cases/100K. (Note: As of Monday, Juab County had 105 active cases. which puts the county at 908.775 cases/100K. Source: centralutahpublichealth.org) “The state wants us to be below 325 cases/100K to be less than high,” said Painter. The moderate level is 101-324/100K and the low level is <= 100/100K. He said that several people had wondered why neighboring Sanpete County was deemed a moderate level even though they had more cases (at the time). Painter explained that Sanpete has a higher population that after the math is done supports that level. Juab County joins Cache, Garfield, Salt Lake, Utah and Wasatch Counties in the high risk category. Painter said that some people had expressed their belief that not testing would bring the county’s numbers down. He explained how that actually hurts the county. For example, if 30 people get tested in a 7-day average x .129 (the number that is below the accepted percentage) that equals 4 positive cases. “Five people is bad, four is okay,” he said. If 75 people get tested, using the math, that says 9 people were positive. Ten is bad, 9 is good. “The higher number that tests actually benefits you rather than the lower number,” he said. Think of it this way, he said. 1 in 4 people who tests positive is 25%, way over the 13% the state set for the high risk category. So what does all this mean? Painter said that there will not be any lockdowns or closures like what happened in the spring. Residents may still go to church, the grocery store, sports events, etc. but restrictions and guidelines have been set by the state. Masks are required to be worn in public indoor settings, and outdoors, when physical distancing is not feasible; this includes both employees and patrons. Physical distancing between household groups where feasible, even at social gatherings, good hygiene practices, and staying home when sick are all still strongly recommended at all levels. You must follow all public health quarantine/isolation guidance at all levels. Businesses also have a set of guidelines they are asked to follow: • Refer to Business Manual • Require 6’ of distancing between household groups, unless masks are worn • Post signage listing COVID-19 symptoms, asking employees and customers with symptoms to stay home, and encouraging physical distancing • Offer alternative pickup options when possible (such as curbside pickups, delivery, takeout) • Ensure ventilation systems operate properly • Plexiglass barriers between staff and customers where feasible at cash registers and customer service counters when 6’ distancing is difficult • Thoroughly clean and disinfect restrooms at least twice daily • Facilitate employees working from home when ill or if they are higher-risk individuals • Stay Safe to Stay Open Pledge (or a similar industry-approved pledge that increases health and safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19) is strongly encouraged • Exceptions for public gatherings and events may apply For more about the new plan, go to coronavirus.utah.gov If you would like to watch Commissioner Painter’s FaceBook Live session, go to https://www.facebook.com/clinton.painter.9/videos/10202965206193651/ Painter wanted to let people know that Utah, as a state, and Juab County have been very fortunate throughout this whole pandemic. He asks that everyone use their common sense and do what is right to keep our neighbors safe. | 