Thread by @BenWinslow

Good afternoon from another physically-distant #utleg hearing!

I'm in the Interim Health & Human Services Committee. We expect to get a briefing on #COVID19 from @DrAngelaCDunn to the committee.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah

Committee Chair Brad Daw announces he has tested positive for #COVID19 (he's appearing virtually while he recovers at home, working through it).

He immediately asks about the surge of cases and the level of frustration people have with restrictions. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@DrAngelaCDunn says we're still increasing in daily case counts.

That's BAD news. Hospitalizations are still high.

"We are beyond hospital capacity right now," she says.

@UofUHealth is now OVER 100% capacity. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@DrAngelaCDunn says transmission index shows all but 3 counties would be in high level.

"The urgency is still there," she says.

The 2-week reset we won't see impact for another couple of weeks. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@UtahDepOfHealth director Rich Saunders says @GovHerbert will give holiday guidance tomorrow.

I'm getting it NOW.

They recommend NOT gathering with ANYONE outside your home. If you do? They have some guidance.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Keep your gathering SMALL. Limit guests and consider virtual gatherings (put people on a Zoom call).

Sick, immunocompromised people? DON'T COME.

Masks, even indoors, even if family.

Prepare seating arrangements with physical distancing (even eating). @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Keep a list of who attends in case @UtahDepOfHealth needs it for contact tracing, Saunders says.

Consider opening doors/windows to allow for increased air circulation.

Or eat outdoors.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

During meal prep with people from outside your own household? Wear a mask.

If people bring food to share? Don't pass it around. Have one person serve it.

Those guidelines will come out TOMORROW from @GovHerbert (but you get it today). @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

Rep. Daw asks if they're mandating?

Saunders says they will promote holiday gatherings within own household.

If you already had #COVID19? Do they need to be quite as cautious?

@DrAngelaCDunn says they have seen *some* evidence of re-infection. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Rep. Daw says he can personally speak to how quickly #COVID19 cut through his household.

"These guidelines are not there to be mean, they're there because we're trying to prevent the spread," he says.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@jenforutah notes viruses mutate and people can get sick AGAIN.

You're not immune just because you recovered from #COVID19.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@UtahDepOfHealth announces we will get ANOTHER public health order on Nov. 24 (the day after the current one expires).

They're working on wording for social gatherings. Mask mandate will STAY, Saunders tells the committee. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@UtahDepOfHealth will create a new quarantine modification for business transmissions, perhaps dropping the 2-week requirements.

No changes to restaurants, bars, gyms, etc. The 10p "last call" for bars will STAY until further notice. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

They will keep the $10,000 fine for egregious offenders for #COVID19 spread.

Public gathering limits will likely be extended, Saunders says.

@UtahDepOfHealth still working on high school extra-curriculars. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

Saunders praises @UtahDepOfHealth workers and local health workers who continue to battle #COVID19.

Now deputy director Nate Checketts talking about testing accelerating. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

TestUtah labs are going to be moving to ARUP, @UtahDepOfHealth announces.

There's plans to get more rapid tests out there for places across Utah (particularly nursing facilities). Schools will get more rapid tests for activities. @fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@SenatorLuz asks if the maps for testing events on coronavirus.utah.gov are up to speed?

@UtahDepOfHealth says they believe so, but send them all the info. She says she will.

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@SenatorLuz says insurance carriers are charging for some tests (up to $1,600 in some instances).

"What are we doing to protect consumers?" she asks.

#COVID19 tests are covered if they're "medically necessary." But feds may need to make a fix. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

.@UtahDepOfHealth has gotten complaints about high costs of #COVID19 tests, Checketts says.

@SenatorLuz requests they send protocol for where her constituents can file complaints. @fox13 #utpol #Utah

On average, test turnaround is still about 2 days, Checketts tells the committee.

Labs have gotten better (but they're definitely seeing A LOT of demand lately).

@fox13 #utpol #Utah #COVID19

.@UtahDepOfHealth briefing is winding down and I'm approaching my deadline.

FYI, the committee will get a presentation on the latest iteration of the medical cannabis bill.

I reported on that last night: fox13now.com/news/local-new… @fox13 #utpol #Utah