Month: March 2020

*Governor Herbert Announces School Closures March 16th – 27th. Story posted at the top of the news on Basin Now.*

The Uintah School District has distributed a letter from Superintendent Rick Woodford concerning the Coronavirus situation and precautionary measures implemented to ensure safety of students and staff…Guidelines the Uintah School District will be observing moving forward include: All students with a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater will be sent home and not readmitted to school until they are fever free without medications for a full 48 hours. If a child presents with a fever of 100 or greater the District recommends calling your medical provider or the Utah Hot Line at 1-800-456-7707. If your child tests positive for Coronavirus you are asked to contact your student’s school immediately.

*Governor Herbert Announces School Closures March 16th – 27th. Story posted at the top of the news on Basin Now.*

Duchesne County School District issued a statement on Friday morning on the Coronavirus situation. As the situation continues to develop rapidly, Superintendent David Brotherson is reminding all parents that they have the right to do what they feel is best for their students.

Proactive measures are being taken to limit the spread of Coronavirus, mostly through limiting large gatherings, including church meetings. Backed by the Utah COVID-19 Community Task Force, Utah Department of Health, and Utah Association of Local Health Departments, Governor Gary Herbert announced on Thursday that beginning on Monday, March 16th, Utah communities are asked to limit mass gatherings of more than 100 people. This includes concerts, conferences, church and religious services, or other events where large numbers of people gather. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced shortly after that all public gatherings of Church members are being temporarily suspended worldwide until further notice.

The Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that the Duchesne County Jail volunteer programs and in-person inmate visits are suspended, effective Friday, March 13th. This is being done in an effort to prevent the potential spread of Coronavirus. “The decision to suspend volunteer programs and in-person inmate visitation at the jail is a precautionary measure,” shares the Sheriff’s Office. “The jail currently uses the HomeWAV system, which allows inmates to connect with loved ones anywhere in the world once an account has been set up at www.homewav.com.

The Ashley Valley Water and Sewer Improvement District shared a clear message on Thursday amidst rising concerns of the spread of Coronavirus. “COVID-19 concerns are rising but we want you to know that your drinking water is and will continue to be produced and safe,” shares the District. “COVID-19 and other viruses are inactivated by chlorine in the drinking water. We meet, and exceed state and EPA standards in regards to disinfection. Your water is, and will continue to be safe to consume. We are preparing as a district to ensure essential services continue in the event of virus transmission to the area.”

What was planned to start with state leaders gathering to show the public the importance of this year’s Census shifted to a need for Utahns to be self motivated in participating in the Census. The dominance of the coronavirus in the headlines might be overwhelming but should not stop Utahns from completing the Census. The Census is conducted every ten years by mandate of the United States Constitution and is a crucial tool used by demographers, historians, and is used to allocate federal funds.

TriCounty Health Department is keeping locals up to date on Coronavirus while coordinating with local entities. There are currently two confirmed and unrelated cases in Utah and no cases or suspect cases within the TriCounty area. Still, TriCounty Health urges all to wash hands regularly, avoid non-essential travel to impacted areas, avoid non-essential contact with those who are generally sick, and to disinfect objects and surfaces using household cleaning sprays or wipes. If you ARE sick, DO NOT go to work, school, church, or other social gatherings. Cover your cough and sneezes and wash hands regularly. Isolate yourself until all symptoms have stopped without assistance from medications.

The Utah Department of Health provided an update this week on the proposed Medical Cannabis Pharmacy License locations for the state and Vernal is no longer on the list. On January 3rd, the Utah Department of Health announced the companies awarded licenses and Pure UT was among them with a future location listed in Vernal. At that time, the Vernal Towne Center Facebook page confirmed that plans were in place for the medical cannabis pharmacy to be located in their center.