COVID numbers remain high thru November

The number of COVID cases remains high in San Juan County, with 180 active cases on November 30. Those numbers are slightly down from the 215 cases in the past week.

However, the total cases in November are higher than any other month in 2021, excluding January.

The 14-day case rate per 100,000 is 764.3 in the county, down from 1,058.3 last week. The seven-day case rate is also down from 555.3 per 100,000 to 457.3

San Juan Public Health Director Grant Sunada says with high cases and concerns about new variants, their main message remains the same: COVID-19 vaccinations are reducing the number and severity of COVID-19 cases and continue to be safe for the majority of people.

Sunada reports that since February 1, 2021, unvaccinated Utahns have had:

• A 3.1 times greater risk of testing positive for COVID-19

• A 6.6 times greater risk of hospitalization

• A 7.8 times greater risk of dying from COVID-19

San Juan Public Health also advocates for continued layers of protection, including vaccination, staying home when sick, mask wearing, staying physically distant, and circulating clean air. These efforts combine to help reduce spread and protect those at highest risk for severe cases, especially during the Holiday Season.

Recent approvals by the federal health agencies have allowed children ages five to 11 to receive the Pfizer vaccine. Additionally, state health experts in Utah have recommended Covid booster shots for those who were vaccinated more than six months ago. 

Covid vaccines and boosters can be received through multiple health agencies in the county.

San Juan Public Health offers the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines each Wednesday and Thursday in December from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:15 to 4:15 p.m.

San Juan Public Health also offers Pfizer shots for five- to 11-year-olds at events from 1 to 4 p.m. in December. Events in Monticello are on December 6 and 27, with events in Blanding on December 9, 13, and 20.

Utah Navajo Health System (UNHS) also offers the Pfizer vaccine for all ages five and up. Those interested should call and schedule an appointment.

Main Street Drug & Boutique in Monticello offers the Johnson & Johnson vaccine walk-ins Monday thru Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. They close early on Friday at 2 p.m.

COVID-19 tests are available at San Juan Health Service District and Blue Mountain Hospital. 

UNHS clinics offer testing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each weekday at their clinics.

San Juan Public Health offers testing from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. on weekdays, excluding Wednesday.

TestUtah offers testing at the Monticello Library from noon to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, as well as testing at the Bluff Community Center Parking lot from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. each Wednesday.

San Juan Record

49 South Main St
PO Box 879
Monticello, UT 84535

Phone: 435.587.2277
Fax: 435.587.3377
news@sjrnews.com
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