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Although the number of COVID-19 cases is rising, there is a glimmer of hope according to state leaders. Testing has increased dramatically, from about 500 tests a day last week, to 2500 tests administered yesterday. Testing and tracking are vital in slowing the spread and of the virus. According to Governor Herbert and Lt. Governor Cox, Utah will reach the peak of the curve earlier than expected and will not overwhelm our hospitals. That is, of course, If our residents continue to stay safe and stay home.
In this email we share the following:
1- Lt. Governor Cox speaks to local leaders
2- Governor's daily briefing: Utah Health Department temporary change in command
3- Additional resources for local governments
Update for Local Government Leaders from Lt. Governor Spencer Cox
ULCT partnered with the Utah Association of Counties once again for a weekly briefing and Q&A session with Lt. Governor Spencer Cox. We shared the concerns of local government with him and he provided a timely update of the status of the virus and the results of our statewide effort to maintain social distancing. The Lt. Governor also expressed interest in hearing from our local leaders about the issues they are facing at home. We also ask you to submit any questions for Lt. Governor Cox by Monday at noon for our next conversation with him. Here are the highlights from the call:
I) TESTING/TRACING/HEALTH CARE
He explains that Utah's testing and tracing capability is among the most robust in the nation and, at present, anyone with symptoms can be tested. Based on data, Lt. Governor Cox says the virus will likely peak at the end of April or the first part of May.
The daily increase of positive tests the last couple of days has decreased compared to the previous few days and that social distancing is paying off. He emphasized that the next two weeks are critical for public health.
He also explained the crisis standards of care which the State of Utah has in place to bring all health care systems together to operate in concert across the state and ensure capacity at health care facilities.
Utah has a plan to get to 7,000 tests per day and are working on improving the ability to turn around the tests quickly through partnerships with Silicon Slopes and other private labs. We hope to expand the ability to test people across Utah. The State of Utah has brought on 1,000 people to help local health departments provide tests.
II) CARES ACT IMPLEMENTATION
Congress designated $150 billion nationwide for states and local governments to help offset direct costs from COVID-19 on local government. We told the Lt. Governor that ULCT and UAC are both working internally to collect data about direct costs. ULCT’s COVID-19 Fiscal Impact Task Force met last week and is working on recommendations for cities about what data we need to gather so stay tuned. The Lt. Governor said state leaders welcome our ideas and your correspondent responded enthusiastically, “you will get plenty of it!”
On that note, we are expecting a special session of the Utah State Legislature in April to re-visit the state budget and potentially more.
III) STATE PROGRAMS
Utah Leads Together bridge loan program: about the Utah Leads Together bridge loan program for small businesses. 25% of the money is reserved for businesses in rural Utah. You can get more information at Coronavirus.utah.gov.
Here is info from DWS about the CARES Act. The Lt. Governor said he does not expect any state funding directly to individuals to help pay their bills like the CARES Act contemplates.
One Utah Child Care program: Front line employees—doctors, nurses, first responders—can qualify for child care from 7 am to 6 pm for licensed day care and school aged children. ULCT has been a part of the working group to identify the scope of the need with first responders and identify potential sites. You can get more information at Jobs.utah.gov.
IV) DIRECTIVE AND ORDERS
The Lt. Governor indicated that the Governor’s directive from last Friday will continue even as the state health orders expire tomorrow. The Lt. Governor said that the Governor will extend the order to match the directive and they will give local government a “heads up” if changes come to the order or directive. The directive goes through April 13.
V) DATA SHARING BETWEEN HEALTH DEPTS AND CITIES
Your correspondent asked about the concern about data sharing between local health departments and cities. Our Board of Directors met with the Executive Director of the Utah Association of Local Health Departments yesterday to raise the same concern too. The Lt. Governor said he was willing to work with health departments to get more localized data to cities.
VI) NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL AND COORDINATION BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN HOSPITALS
The Lt. Governor said there are plans in place to coordinate the transport of sick individuals from areas without hospital capacity to areas with hospital capacity. In particular, we discussed the concern about people visiting rural Utah to recreate and creating the risk of overloading their limited health care systems if an outbreak occurred there. The Lt. Governor reminded everyone that the directive closed state parks to residents outside of the home county and that was an attempt to message to limit non-essential travel. The Lt. Governor said he would take the concern of non-essential travel and impacts on rural Utah to the Governor and asked to coordinate with ULCT and UAC for a potential message in the Governor’s daily COVID-19 briefing.
Governor Herbert's Daily Briefing
Governor Gary Herbert announced a temporary change in command in Utah's health department today. Adjutant General Jefferson Burton will lead the day to day operations of the Utah Department of Health. ULCT and the Governor's office encourage local leaders to work closely with the health department in your region as you determine the best course of action for your community. You can view Governor Herbert's complete address here.
Governor Temporarily Suspends Post-Retirement Restrictions for Retirees in Critical Government Functions
Temporary Adjustments: The Governor has issued an Executive Order suspending some post-retirement reemployment restrictions for URS retirees to help provide critical government functions during the COVID-19 state of emergency. This will allow some retirees to be temporarily re-employed in positions performing these functions while continuing to receive their monthly pension benefits. Government functions that are deemed critical include emergency services, first responders, healthcare, public health facilities, and others.
URS Board Resolution #2020-02 provides rules and restrictions regarding the Executive Order.
Employer Instructions
URS Board Resolution #2020-02
Executive Order
Go to the URS Employers page for policies and procedures for the re-employment of retirees under Board Resolution #2020-02. Board Resolution #2020-02 will remain in place for as long as the Executive Order is in effect, which will be during the declared COVID-19 state of emergency.
Additional resources for Utah communities
Remember, you can find many answers to your coronavirus questions by checking the website https://coronavirus.utah.gov/.
You can also find resources for local governments in Utah on ULCT's landing page here.
Take care, all!
Team ULCT
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