Editors note: The Salt Lake Tribune is providing readers free access to critical local stories about the coronavirus during this time of heightened concern. See more coverage here. To support journalism like this, please consider donating or become a subscriber.
Jarrod Phillips felt fine, but a digital newsletter he subscribes to encouraged him to take the coronavirus survey at TestUtah.com.
The Farmington resident answered the questionnaire Wednesday. Despite his lack of symptoms, the website booked Phillips an appointment for the next morning at a free COVID-19 testing center in South Ogden.
I think everyone would be curious whether they have it, Phillips said, whether they have symptoms or not.
While the Utah Department of Health has pleaded for people with any of six symptoms to get tested for the coronavirus, a coalition of Utahs technology sector, in partnership with state government, has extended testing to a wider group: those without signs of COVID-19 but who are selected by an algorithm.
The TestUtah.com effort has used a social media campaign with the slogan Crush the Curve and Test Utah Challenge to steer people to the website. It is an example of the varying messages about testing delivered to Utahns and other Americans.
Health experts have said widespread testing is necessary to stop the spread of the coronavirus, given research showing people without symptoms can carry and spread it. Yet some states dont have enough COVID-19 tests for even the obviously sick residents they have.
In Utah, however, state epidemiologist Angela Dunn has said the state has more testing capacity than demand. During the past week, she has pleaded for those with any of six symptoms fever, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, muscle aches, or loss of taste or smell to seek testing even if their symptom is mild.
Dunn has stopped short of endorsing the testing of asymptomatic people through TestUtah.com or elsewhere. She said a group from Utah hospitals and other public health components have set the testing criteria she has promoted.
Its my understanding that [TestUtah.com is] looking to come on board with the guidelines that have been set, Dunn said at a news conference Thursday, ... and thats what were recommending to them.
There is a place for asymptomatic testing in this pandemic, she added moments later, but its necessary to have a very thoughtful approach in terms of recruiting who should be tested if they dont have symptoms, so we can accurately interpret those results and use good data to inform policy going forward.
Following their lead
In her weekday news conferences, Dunn has directed anyone with symptoms to the states coronavirus website. On Friday, the state announced 6,093 new test results and noted that the number included 3,388 new negative results from TestUtah.com that had not previously been reported.
It was unclear Friday whether asymptomatic people could still be selected for testing. Clint Betts, executive director of the nonprofit Silicon Slopes organization, said the TestUtah.com operators were working with state health officials and following their lead.
There also is a concern that people with no COVID-19 symptoms but who are carriers of the virus are more likely to have a false-negative result. That could distort epidemiologists understanding of hot spots and discourage the asymptomatic person from social distancing.
Theres no harm in getting a test if youre asymptomatic, Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, who has led the states coronavirus task force, said this week. We do know the validity of those tests [goes] down a bit. Certainly asymptomatic people who have the disease [are] out there.
If people have the desire to get tested and start to figure out where some of that is, the broader the testing we do, the better off were going to be. We would still rather find somebody who is asymptomatic and has the disease."
TestUtah.com was created and is administered by Silicon Slopes and a coalition of Utah technology firms. Dave Elkington, chairman of the sales platform Xant and a co-founder of Silicon Slopes, said the website is using an algorithm and methodology based on the testing criteria approved by the state health department.
But on days when demand is lower than testing capacity, Elkington said, the state makes the decision to increase or decrease the criteria for testing, permitting TestUtah.com to refer some asymptomatic people for testing.
The algorithm is determined and dictated by the state, Elkington said Friday. We are the facilitator.
Three Utah companies Nomi Health, Domo and Qualtrics have contracts with the state to operate the website and testing. The contracts were issued through the office of Gov. Gary Herbert and have not been made public, but representatives of Silicon Slopes have said all data collected by the website belongs to the Utah Department of Health.
Elkington said he doesnt know how many asymptomatic people have been tested or how many of the tests facilitated by TestUtah.com came back positive. Even aggregated data, he said, goes to the state.
Besides facilitating testing, TestUtah.com also has received about 77,000 evaluations submitted by website visitors. That information, which includes personal details as well as whether the respondent has suffered a job loss or mental health problems due to the pandemic, also has been submitted to the health department.
Those who are selected for COVID-19 tests are directed to a drive-thru test site in Provo, Orem, Heber City, South Ogden, Roosevelt, Vernal or St. George. All tests are free.
That made a big difference for Melinda Layten, 43, who lives in Lehi with her husband. She lost her job in December and was trying to find a new one when the pandemic ruined all her prospects.
She then began experiencing a cough that she assumed was caused by seasonal allergies. Layten said her life could be put at risk if she contracted COVID-19 due to a previous viral infection of her heart.
I was 95% sure it wasnt COVID, Layten said. Weve been practicing social distancing, taking precautions. We were always using the hand sanitizer, but theres always that nagging concern in the back of your head that somethings wrong.
After uploading her information to TestUtah.com, Layten was referred to the testing site in Orem on April 10. She received her result, a negative, the next evening, easing her mind.
Our country as a whole is not doing a good job getting people tested, Layten said. So I really appreciate that the state is stepping up and taking care of things like this.
Specimens from Layten and other subjects are collected by trained medical personnel wearing personal protective equipment another resource in short supply across the country and which yet could be scarce in Utah.
Elkington said TestUtah.com has been able to provide each test and its result to the state at a cost of about $50 a test. Some news outlets have reported stories of individuals elsewhere paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars for a single test.
TestUtah.com has been boosting its capacity. It facilitated 1,626 tests Thursday, Betts said. Elkington said its operations can process up to 6,000 a day if the state asks for it.
Elkington said he has spoken with an executive at Apple in charge of health care products and four state governors about what Utah and Silicon Slopes is doing and whether it can be replicated elsewhere. He declined to name the governors.
Phillips, the Farmington resident, saw getting tested as doing his part to slow the coronavirus.
The more people that are tested, he said, the more accurate the numbers will be and the better idea we will have of how to deal with something like this.
Phillips was waiting for his results as of Friday afternoon.
Tribune reporters Erin Alberty and Courtney Tanner contributed to this report.
Editors note Clint Betts serves on The Salt Lake Tribunes nonprofit board of directors.
More here:
- What You Need to Know About the New SAG-AFTRA Agreement ... - Casting Networks - November 24th, 2023 [November 24th, 2023]
- Premiership Rugby Highlights Show | Be on TV - ITVX - November 24th, 2023 [November 24th, 2023]
- Elon Musks Neuralink wants to merge your brain with AI at what ... - Vox.com - October 20th, 2023 [October 20th, 2023]
- The World's Job During the War on Hamas: Save the Space For Peace - TIME - October 20th, 2023 [October 20th, 2023]
- Brooklyn Beckham hits back at haters who mock his online cooking videos - Yahoo News UK - October 20th, 2023 [October 20th, 2023]
- Secret to immortality could be just a decade away as scientists predict when well learn to live forever... - The US Sun - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- Roblox Introduces Heads and Bodies to the UGC Program - Game Is Hard - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- Bigger Th*t Than Cardi B: Amidst Conor McGregor's Friend's Feud ... - The Sportsrush - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- Sofia Richie Says Royal Weddings Inspired Her Nuptials - Brides - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- How Many Times a Day to Post to BeReal a Day - Alphr - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- Usage of dark web for uploading sensitive defence information is a ... - LawBeat - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- What Should You Look for in your WiFi Plan? - My Everyday Tech - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- The Pros and Cons of Using No-Code Websites as a Blogger - MUO - MakeUseOf - August 18th, 2023 [August 18th, 2023]
- The Future Is Now: Wrestling with Ethics, Policy and Brain-Computer ... - NC State News - May 2nd, 2023 [May 2nd, 2023]
- How to Share Images Online Easily With Pasteboard - Dignited - May 2nd, 2023 [May 2nd, 2023]
- The Acid Test, April 2023 - bandcamp.com - May 2nd, 2023 [May 2nd, 2023]
- Top 9 Generative AI Applications and Tools - eWeek - May 2nd, 2023 [May 2nd, 2023]
- Top 50 Most Viewed U.S. YouTube Channels Week Of 04/30/2023 - Tubefilter - May 2nd, 2023 [May 2nd, 2023]
- PPC Automation: When & How To Use It - Search Engine Journal - May 2nd, 2023 [May 2nd, 2023]
- Image SEO: Optimizing images for search engines Yoast - December 16th, 2022 [December 16th, 2022]
- All That Is In The Heavens [Part 14]: Bionic Basim - MuslimMatters - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Mill Creek Leverages QR Codes To Help People Store Their Loved One's Messages as Forever Cherishable Memories - Digital Journal - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- In their own words: County Commissioner candidates Randy George and Steve Skinner on why each should be considered for the open District 3... - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Get ready now for the 2022 Great Southern BioBlitz! - Cosmos - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- ILUMINATIVE Is Reviving the Modern Genre Of Hip-Hop/Rock & Nu-Metal with the Latest Album, 'Endangered' - Daily Music Roll - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Enter the Cambridge Independents Photography Awards 2022 - and win great prizes - Cambridge Independent - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Coros Vertix 2 review the battery life of this smartwatch is insane - CyclingWeekly - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- WTF Are POAPs? The Intriguing Power of Proof of Attendance Protocol - nft now - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Former NRL star Finch fighting to avoid jail amid fears hell be targeted by hardened criminals - Fox Sports - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- Muni Long's long and winding road to R&B stardom - Los Angeles Times - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- She-Hulk Recap: Episode 9 | Jen Breaks the MCU - United By Pop - October 19th, 2022 [October 19th, 2022]
- People with dark personality type desire enhancing their brains with future tech, new study reveals... - The US Sun - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- Emma Chamberlain has opened up the doors of her new home and I havent been able to think of anything else since - image.ie - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- 'Don't believe everything you read': The story of The Onion - Bennington Banner - October 2nd, 2022 [October 2nd, 2022]
- DJ Ace - Peace of Mind Vol 39 (Saxophone Edition Slow Jam Mix ... - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Longtermism Movement Misses the Importance of War - Scientific American - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- Ten warning signs that your phone is spying on you and tips on removing spyware - Scottish Daily Express - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- JNU Admission 2022: Registration starts for UG admission on the basis of CUET in JNU, fill your form from this link - News Day Express - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- RTI reply: 42 cars in CM Bhagwant Mann convoy, opposition says 'badlav or waste of money' - The Indian Express - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- 10 best One Direction rock covers, from the 1975 to Wolf Alice - Alternative Press - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- How to use GPX maps and trackback on the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro Route tile - Android Central - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- CHITCHAT OVER COFFEE: Give the Heart the space it needs - Manila Bulletin - September 29th, 2022 [September 29th, 2022]
- How technology will bridge the gap for the next million - Times of India - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- now allows you to upload your photos and edit them - Gearrice - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- 2023 Honda CR-V First Drive Review: The Once And Future King? - Motor1 - September 20th, 2022 [September 20th, 2022]
- Pantheon Review: 2022's Wildest Tech Thriller Is a Cartoon | Time - TIME - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Worth Watching: Lord of the Rings Prequel, Uploading Gets Serious in Pantheon, NASCAR Race for the Championship - Channel3000.com - WISC-TV3 - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- The super-rich preppers planning to save themselves from the apocalypse - The Guardian - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- 8 Anime Outros Too Good to Skip - Geek Girl Authority - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- From social media to Pollywood, singer Noor Chahal says originality is her secret to success - The Indian Express - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- Behind the music - Ratios - RTE.ie - September 7th, 2022 [September 7th, 2022]
- According To Believers, 7% Of Us Will Find Code 0010110 And Exit The Matrix On August 27 - YourTango - August 2nd, 2022 [August 2nd, 2022]
- Elon Musk confirms he already uploaded his brain to a cloud, he spoke to himself - Marca - August 2nd, 2022 [August 2nd, 2022]
- Whatever Happened to the Transhumanists? - Gizmodo Australia - August 2nd, 2022 [August 2nd, 2022]
- TREASURES OF THE TRI-STATE 2022 - 97.3 the Rock - Radio Dubuque - August 2nd, 2022 [August 2nd, 2022]
- India versus West Indies second T20 highlights: Fancode yesterday match 2nd T20 highlights where to watch - The Sportsrush - August 2nd, 2022 [August 2nd, 2022]
- Edinburgh internet troll guilty of sending vile online messages to politicians - Edinburgh Live - August 2nd, 2022 [August 2nd, 2022]
- The PhotoStick Reviews (PhotoStick For PC) - Does This Device Really Worth Buying? Must Read This Before You Buy! - Outlook India - August 2nd, 2022 [August 2nd, 2022]
- How Close Are We to Uploading Your Mind? - How-To Geek - July 23rd, 2022 [July 23rd, 2022]
- Ranveer Allahbadia: Of collaborations and making Reels - Hindustan Times - July 23rd, 2022 [July 23rd, 2022]
- Jasmine TXO: The key to cracking TikTok - Ragtrader - July 23rd, 2022 [July 23rd, 2022]
- You can also earn big money sitting at home from YouTube or Instagram, know how? (How to Earn Money From YouTube And Instagram?) - News Day Express - July 23rd, 2022 [July 23rd, 2022]
- What the POTS shutdown will mean for faxing in the healthcare industry - Healthcare Dive - July 23rd, 2022 [July 23rd, 2022]
- Back Issues: Connecting with the past via historical objects - Stuff - July 23rd, 2022 [July 23rd, 2022]
- Hidden MrBeast Video Sees the Popular Millionaire Put Over $50,000 on the Line for His Fans - EssentiallySports - July 17th, 2022 [July 17th, 2022]
- Some of the internet's most homoerotic content is on The History Channel's YouTube? - Queerty - July 17th, 2022 [July 17th, 2022]
- A Twitter test will remind you to add alt text to images - TechCrunch - July 17th, 2022 [July 17th, 2022]
- Beyonc's 7th Studio Album Renaissance is About Release on The 29th of July - Daily Music Roll - July 17th, 2022 [July 17th, 2022]
- Repairing an old thing is a small act of defiance against disposable culture - The Irish Times - July 17th, 2022 [July 17th, 2022]
- Warzone players slam the dumbest Perk in the history of CoD - CharlieINTEL.com - July 17th, 2022 [July 17th, 2022]
- Tatsuki Fujimotos Just Listen To This Song Is A Lesson In Love And Buddhism - DualShockers - July 17th, 2022 [July 17th, 2022]
- Required Documents - School and Student Services by Community Brands - July 3rd, 2022 [July 3rd, 2022]
- Dr. Strange: Can the Multiverse Really Work as a Plot Device? - Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence - July 3rd, 2022 [July 3rd, 2022]
- Sophia Mirzas daughters say living with father happily - The News International - July 3rd, 2022 [July 3rd, 2022]
- Warning for MILLIONS of iPhone users before going on holiday this year... - The US Sun - July 3rd, 2022 [July 3rd, 2022]
- Interview: The Vamps Celebrate 10 Years At The Top! - CelebMix - July 3rd, 2022 [July 3rd, 2022]
- The powerful lesson I learned watching my father die - Sydney Morning Herald - July 3rd, 2022 [July 3rd, 2022]
- How to Sign Up for Amazon Primes Free Trialand Save Big Ahead of Prime Day in 2022 - Yahoo Life - July 3rd, 2022 [July 3rd, 2022]
- Firoz Hasan of Free Motion stands by flood affected Sylhet and Sunamganj - The Daily Star - June 29th, 2022 [June 29th, 2022]
- Almost Quote the Movie Serena Williams Fangirls Over Iron Man as She Dons Similar Pair of Glasses Ahead of Her Wimbledon Championships 2022 Campaign... - June 29th, 2022 [June 29th, 2022]