Dear Friends and Neighbors,

Last week the U.S. Census Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Utah was ranked first for economic growth by having the lowest unemployment rate and the best economy in the nation. To no surprise, this has been a difficult year for everyone, but it has taught us that we can thrive during challenges. Shortly after, Forbes released What Utah Can Teach Other States About Surviving A Recession. As we work to improve our economy and protect the public’s health, we can limit the spread of COVID-19 within our state.

With all this, here are some weekly COVID-19 updates from the state.

• COVID-19 patients are only using 9% of ICU beds in the state and only 2% of overall bed space. More hospital data here.

• Last week, state and local leaders held a COVID-19 briefing in Spanish addressing back-to-school safety measures and discussing how to stop the disproportionate rise of COVID-19 in Latino communities. Watch here.

• The number of total new claims filed for unemployment benefits in Utah was 5,628 for the week of August 16-22. Read the report here.

• The Utah Department of Workforce Services released a FAQ about the Lost Wages Assistance Program. Read it here.

• The Governor’s Office of Economic Development will reopen COVID-19 response programs. Learn more here.

• Intermountain Healthcare is asking for convalescent plasma, which is currently a nationwide shortage. Patients who have recovered from COVID-19 are encouraged to call the Red Cross and see if they qualify to donate convalescent plasma. Read more here.

As of August 27, at 1:00 p.m. Utah's private and public laboratories:

• 642,761 tests administered

• 50,557 testing positive

• 120 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19

• 403 fatalities

• 42,512 estimated recovered.

Additional information can be found here.

Kind regards,

Senator Ronal Winterton

Senate District 26