Author: Mariah Wheeler

OGDEN, Utah – On Thursday, the Utah Department of Health reported a total of 4,672 new cases of COVID-19. There are 13 new deaths. A total of 276,612 Utahns have tested positive for COVID-19. The state reported 1,726,003 people tested to date. This is an increase of 11,412 people tested since Wednesday. The state reports 30,200 vaccines administered. The rolling 7-day average for positive tests per day is 2,288. The rolling 7-day average of positive laboratory tests is 25.6%. There are 510 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19. Total hospitalizations from the beginning of the outbreak are 10,956.

OGDEN, Utah – A local Catholic priest died last week after testing positive for COVID-19. Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general, announced the death of Father Reynato (Rene) T. Rodillas on Friday. He was 58. Rodillas tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, Jan. 5. He was later sent home from the emergency room with oxygen. According to Bircumshaw, Rodillas may have died on Friday, Jan. 8 but the date has yet to be determined by the medical examiner. His exact cause of death has yet to be released. Bircumshaw said Rodillas served in several cities in Utah, including Salt Lake City, St. George,…