SALT LAKE CITY — Utahns are now under a new health order from Gov. Herbert in an effort to help slow the spread of COVID-19 as the state deals with a surge in cases.
READ: COVID-19 cases continue to surge in Utah
There is a lot of optimism that a vaccine could be coming soon, but people need to focus on getting the surge under control now, said Dr. Tamara Sheffield, Intermountain Medical Dir. Of Community Health and Prevention.
“Vaccines are going to be one of the key ways we can prevent this but we can’t just wait for vaccines,” said Sheffield.
Utah has been working on a vaccination plan, which you can read more about here.
In the meantime, people need to really hit pause these next two weeks and follow the new public health order, said Dr. Sheffield. It’s not too late to change the trajectory, she added.
“We need to have an impact. Our hospitals and healthcare workers are overtaxed at this point and we need all the help we can get,” she said.
READ: Utah hospitals praise new mandates during tipping point
Hospitals are doing everything they can to keep up with the surge of COVID-19 cases, but it takes people wearing masks and following the guidelines to help get things under control, said Dr. Sheffield
“We have individuals that are tired, and they are working hard, and they need everyone to help them in this process,” she said.