7 SALT LAKE = COUNTY Fe Careen ker sr HELLTTGEPARTNENT uy ebsites April 7, 2021 Steve DeBry, Chairman Salt Lake County Council 2001S. State Street, N2-200 Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4575 Dear Chairman DeBry: With HB 294, the Legislature put themselves in a no-lose position: they promised the public they would eliminate the mask requirement based on a date, rather than data, while still shielding themselves from any responsibility for an increase in cases by saying it was the responsibility of local health departments and county legislative bodies to continue the requirement. ‘As the Salt Lake County Health Department executive director, | am not currently seeking approval from the County Council for a mask requirement specific to Salt Lake County, however I'm certainly open to having a discussion with the Council. This decision is based on the following: © The data continue to indicate progress is being made. © Since this bill was passed on March 5, 2021, the 14-day case rate per 100,000 county residents has decreased from 245/100,000 to 179/100,000. ©Since this bill was signed into law by Governor Cox on March 24, 2021, the 14- day case rate per 100,000 county residents has decreased from 192/100,000 to 179/100,000. © In addition to this improvement, we have also experienced improvements in COVID hospitalization and ICU utilization. © The positivity rate of tests continues to decline. © Approximately 40,000 Salt Lake County residents are receiving their first dose of vaccine each week. Nearly 400,000 Salt Lake County residents have received at least one dose of vaccine. Vaccination—not mask-wearing—is the strategy that will ultimately get us to the point of being able to declare the pandemic over. © The Utah Department of Health will likely issue an order effective April 10 that will require mask use for individuals participating in a social event of 50 or more people. * Aprimary reason public health has utilized orders during the pandemic was to minimize ‘the impact on the health care system and to assure health care was available to everyone, whether suffering from COVID or other illnesses; the age groups at greatest risk have now had many weeks to be vaccinated and over 80% are at least partially vaccinated, and we are seeing large decreases in both hospitalization and death in these populations. 2001 South Stote Street Suita $2-400 PO Box 144575 Sol Lote Chy, UT 4114-4575 385-468-8117 F 385.468.4106 Salt Lok County Heclh Deparment promotes and proecis community and envraementl health© Public health in Utah is charged with “controlling” disease. We can accomplish this with a combination of vaccination and other measures like mask wearing, social distancing, good hygiene, and staying home when ill. Everyone must continue to do their part, and we must continue to encourage everyone to do their part by assuming personal responsibility for all these recommended public health measures. ‘* The primary public health message at this time in the pandemic must promote vaccination. We must minimize anything that distracts from that message. Asa county we must continue to recommend and encourage mask use, especially by people who are not vaccinated and whenever anyone is in a public setting and they do not know if people around them have been vaccinated. We also must fully support businesses that continue to require masks for the safety of their employees and patrons. Regardless of any determination made on April 10, if any of the following occur, | will ask the Council to discuss the situation with me and perhaps go a different direction: ‘© Salt Lake County experiences two consecutive weeks (Sunday through Saturday) of an increase in cases of 10% or greater. ‘We climb to 245/100,000 cases over the previous 14-day period. Total ICU utilization and COVIC ICU utilization increase to 75% and 15% respectively, Test positivity rate exceeds 7.5% (using the test over test method) for two consecutive weeks, Cel GEE Ms: bee fve Director 2001 South Stote Street Suite $2-800 PO Box 144575 Solt Loke City, UTS4114.4575 T385.468-4117 F 385-468-4108 sollakeheotth.org Sal! Lake County Heath sparen! promotes and protects community and envranmentel heath