COVID-19
ONE YEAR LATER
One year. 12 months. 52 weeks. 365 days. We organize our existences around the passing of a year—“another trip around the sun.” But no 12-month period has challenged us more than the last one, as the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted every minute of our lives since March 2020.
On the fifth day of that month, University Hospital admitted its first COVID-19 patient. Before that moment, the threat of the virus felt somehow abstract—far away and surely not a threat to our normal routines. Since then, those routines have been upended so radically it’s hard to even tally the losses. Weddings and graduations gone uncelebrated. Bills left unpaid. Jobs lost, vacations scrapped, dreams deferred, friendships put on hold—and, in the most devastating of cases, more than half a million unexpected deaths mourned painfully alone.
But there’s another side to the tragedy of COVID-19. A story of resilience and fortitude told every day at University of Utah Health and hospitals around the world: frontline workers, essential employees, and regular Americans coming together to save lives and virtually connect in a time of crisis. A scientific research community answering history's most pressing call to arms by developing safe, effective vaccines in record time. Utahns from all walks of life becoming a bit more attuned to life’s unexpected upheavals—and the empathy required to live through them.
That’s the year U of U Health sees when we look backward: 12 months to learn from, 52 weeks to remember, and 365 days to commemorate, one pivotal event at a time.
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Before a single case of COVID-19 had been confirmed in the United States, planning for the possible spread of the virus began. Strategic decision-making in December 2019, patient scenario exercises in January 2020, presentations by infectious diseases specialist and hospital epidemiologist Jeanmarie Mayer, MD, in February, and collaborations with the Utah Department of Health (UDOH) became the norm—until the inevitable arrival of the pandemic in March 2020.
SPRING
One of the first COVID-19 patients admitted to University Hospital was Neal Murphy, a native Midwesterner and veteran of the Air Force Reserves. He recovered after five days on a ventilator, but the experience taught his son, Ryan—a U of U Health hospitalist—a lifelong lesson about how to connect with patients despite isolating safety procedures.
Negative pressure tents set up outside University Hospital to contain possible spread of COVID-19
University of Utah restricts business travel, forcing many faculty and staff to cancel spring conferences, recruitment events, and other key gatherings
Symptomatic COVID-19 testing begins in partnership with ARUP Laboratories.
To date, U of U Health has conducted more than 416,650 COVID-19 tests.
U of U Health announces initial restrictions to visitor policy to keep patients, staff, and families safe
Clement Chow, PhD, assistant professor of human genetics at University of Utah, shares his COVID-19 journey
Use of negative pressure tents at University Hospital begins
Non-urgent elective surgeries postponed
Availability of COVID-19 testing hampered by early critical shortages of reagents and swabs
U of U Health community dons white ribbons to show support for frontline medical staff—the same day, leaders join health experts and state officials to host COVID-19 town hall
MARCH 5 / DAY 1
One of the first COVID-19 patients admitted to University Hospital was Neal Murphy, a native Midwesterner and veteran of the Air Force Reserves. He recovered after five days on a ventilator, but the experience taught his son, Ryan—a U of U Health hospitalist—a lifelong lesson about how to connect with patients despite isolating safety procedures.
MARCH 7 / DAY 3
Negative pressure tents set up outside University Hospital to contain possible spread of COVID-19
MARCH 9 / DAY 5
University of Utah restricts business travel, forcing many faculty and staff to cancel spring conferences, recruitment events, and other key gatherings
MARCH 11 / DAY 7
Symptomatic COVID-19 testing begins in partnership with ARUP Laboratories.
To date, U of U Health has conducted more than 416,650 COVID-19 tests.
MARCH 12 / DAY 8
U of U Health announces initial restrictions to visitor policy to keep patients, staff, and families safe
MARCH 13 / DAY 9
Clement Chow, PhD, assistant professor of human genetics at University of Utah, shares his COVID-19 journey
MARCH 15 / DAY 11
Use of negative pressure tents at University Hospital begins
MARCH 16 / DAY 12
Non-urgent elective surgeries postponed
MARCH 16 / DAY 12
Availability of COVID-19 testing hampered by early critical shortages of reagents and swabs
MARCH 17 / DAY 13
U of U Health community dons white ribbons to show support for frontline medical staff—the same day, leaders join health experts and state officials to host COVID-19 town hall
5.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Salt Lake City, temporarily disrupting care and challenging an already frazzled health care community
Images from University Hospital and its Command Center
3i Initiative (Immunology, Inflammation, and Infectious Diseases) expands support for research projects focused specifically on COVID-19
First COVID-19 death recorded in Utah
ARUP Laboratories responds to testing shortages by implementing alternatives to specimen-preserving materials
Updated policy restricts visitors at U of U Health
Physical distancing measures roll out across the U of U Health system
#UtahCares campaign kicks off on social media to thank frontline health care workers
COVID-19 testing expands to Park City thanks to partnership with Intermountain Healthcare
Heroes Work Here campaign adds new element of appreciation for frontline staff
School of Medicine students hold community donation drives to collect critical personal protective equipment (PPE)
More than 163,000 pieces of PPE were collected by student volunteers—along with another 205,000 pieces given by generous donors across Utah and the U.S.
MARCH 18 / DAY 14
5.7 magnitude earthquake strikes Salt Lake City, temporarily disrupting care and challenging an already frazzled health care community
Images from University Hospital and its Command Center
MARCH 20 / DAY 16
3i Initiative (Immunology, Inflammation, and Infectious Diseases) expands support for research projects focused specifically on COVID-19
MARCH 22 / DAY 18
First COVID-19 death recorded in Utah
MARCH 23 / DAY 19
ARUP Laboratories responds to testing shortages by implementing alternatives to viral transport media
MARCH 25 / DAY 21
Updated policy restricts visitors at U of U Health
MARCH 26 / DAY 22
Physical distancing measures roll out across the U of U Health system
MARCH 28 / DAY 24
#UtahCares campaign kicks off on social media to thank frontline health care workers
APRIL 1 / DAY 28
COVID-19 testing expands to Park City thanks to partnership with Intermountain Healthcare
APRIL 2 / DAY 29
Heroes Work Here campaign adds new element of appreciation for frontline staff
APRIL 3 / DAY 30
School of Medicine students hold community donation drives to collect critical personal protective equipment (PPE)
More than 163,000 pieces of PPE were collected by student volunteers—along with another 205,000 pieces given by generous donors across Utah and the U.S.
The Wellness Bus is redeployed to provide COVID-19 testing in hard-hit neighborhoods where minority populations are more susceptible to the virus.
Over 10 months, the bus conducted 14,500 tests in South Salt Lake, Fairpark, Glendale, and Midvale.
Eyewear now required in all patient areas across U of U Health system
Utah community donates more critical PPE, joining efforts of U of U schools and colleges in responding to the pandemic
Huntsman Corporation donates 5 tons of hand sanitizer
U of U Health & Intermountain launch clinical trials to study efficacy of COVID-19 treatments
Temperature screening begins at all U of U Health facilities
Center for Medical Innovation designs reusable respirator to protect frontline workers and conserve PPE
ProjectProtect launches worldwide effort to sew 5 million medical-grade masks for frontline workers
U of U invests $1.3 million in seed funding for COVID-19 research across campus, with another $29 million in external funding supporting 200+ projects and 130+ research publications
Elective surgeries resume at U of U Health, allowing patients to get care when they need it
APRIL 4 / DAY 31
The Wellness Bus is redeployed to provide COVID-19 testing in hard-hit neighborhoods where minority populations are more susceptible to the virus.
Over 10 months, the bus conducted 14,500 tests in South Salt Lake, Fairpark, Glendale, and Midvale.
APRIL 5 / DAY 32
Eyewear now required in all patient areas across U of U Health system
APRIL 6 / DAY 33
Utah community donates more critical PPE, joining efforts of U of U schools and colleges in responding to the pandemic
APRIL 7 / DAY 34
Huntsman Corporation donates 5 tons of hand sanitizer
APRIL 8 / DAY 35
U of U Health & Intermountain launch clinical trials to study efficacy of COVID-19 treatments
APRIL 15 / DAY 42
Temperature screening begins at all U of U Health facilities
APRIL 16 / DAY 43
Center for Medical Innovation designs reusable respirator to protect frontline workers and conserve PPE
APRIL 17 / DAY 44
ProjectProtect launches worldwide effort to sew 5 million medical-grade masks for frontline workers
APRIL 20 / DAY 47
U of U invests $1.3 million in seed funding for COVID-19 research across campus, with another $29 million in external funding supporting 200+ projects and 130+ academic publications
APRIL 22 / DAY 49
Elective surgeries resume at U of U Health, allowing patients to get care when they need it
U of U Health and ARUP begin testing for COVID-19 antibodies to help identify prior infections
First responders from around Salt Lake Valley parade in tribute to frontline health care workers
U of U Health responds to PPE shortages by sterilizing used masks so they could be reused
Hill Air Force Base salutes frontline health care workers with F-35 flyover
Utah HERO Project starts studying community spread of COVID-19, eventually collecting more than 19,000 blood samples from 24,000 individuals across the state
Researchers across U of U Health describe their adaptations to life during COVID-19
School of Dentistry reopens to provide critical care to underserved patients
ProjectProtect concludes—in just five weeks, 50,000 volunteers sewed six million masks
COVID-19 ICU B50 surge unit opens at University Hospital to expand bed capacity and treat COVID-positive patients
APRIL 23 / DAY 50
Study co-authored by James M. Hotaling, MD, determines COVID-19 isn’t sexually transmitted
APRIL 26 / DAY 53
U of U Health and ARUP begin testing for COVID-19 antibodies to help identify prior infections
APRIL 27 / DAY 54
First responders from around Salt Lake Valley parade in tribute to frontline health care workers
APRIL 29 / DAY 56
U of U Health responds to PPE shortages by sterilizing used masks so they could be reused
APRIL 30 / DAY 57
Hill Air Force Base salutes frontline health care workers with F-35 flyover
MAY 6 / DAY 63
Utah HERO Project starts studying community spread of COVID-19, eventually collecting more than 19,000 blood samples from 24,000 individuals across the state
MAY 18 / DAY 75
Researchers across U of U Health describe their adaptations to life during COVID-19
MAY 20 / DAY 77
School of Dentistry reopens to provide critical care to underserved patients
MAY 26 / DAY 83
ProjectProtect concludes—in just five weeks, 50,000 volunteers sewed six million masks
MAY 29 / DAY 86
COVID-19 ICU B50 surge unit opens at University Hospital to expand bed capacity and treat COVID-positive patients
SUMMER
U of U Health and ARUP begin saliva testing study, possibly ushering in the end of an era for the dreaded nasal swab
School of Medicine Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion collects and provides essential supplies to hard-hit Navajo Nation
U of U Health accepts cloth face covering donations from community members
White Coats for Black Lives protest held at U of U Health to highlight concerns over racial disparities in policing, justice, and health care during the COVID-19 pandemic
US Rep. Ben McAdams shares his story of surviving COVID-19 after an eight-day stay at University Hospital
Temperature checks discontinued at U of U Health
U of U Division of Public Health partners with UDOH to conduct COVID-19 contact tracing
Universal face covering policy implemented at all U of U Health facilities
#MaskUpUtah campaign created in collaboration with Utah Hospital Association spreads statewide awareness
JUNE 1 / DAY 89
U of U Health and ARUP begin saliva testing study—possibly ushering in end of the dreaded nasal swab?
JUNE 2 / DAY 90
School of Medicine Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion collects and provides essential supplies to hard-hit Navajo Nation
JUNE 3 / DAY 91
Torri Metz, MD, leads nationwide study examining effects of COVID-19 on 21,000 pregnant women
JUNE 4 / DAY 92
U of U Health accepts cloth face covering donations from community members
JUNE 5 / DAY 93
White Coats for Black Lives protest held at U of U Health to highlight concerns over racial disparities in policing, justice, and health care during the COVID-19 pandemic
JUNE 6 / DAY 94
US Rep. Ben McAdams shares his story of surviving COVID-19 after an eight-day stay at University Hospital
JUNE 7 / DAY 95
Temperature checks discontinued at U of U Health
JUNE 12 / DAY 100
U of U Division of Public Health partners with UDOH to conduct COVID-19 contact tracing
JUNE 13 / DAY 101
Universal face covering policy implemented at all U of U Health facilities
JUNE 23 / DAY 111
#MaskUpUtah campaign created in collaboration with Utah Hospital Association spreads statewide awareness
Study led by Robert A. Campbell, PhD, demonstrates COVID-triggered hyperactivity in blood-clotting cells
Clues to COVID-19 complications come from hyperactive immune responses, according to research led by Elizabeth A. Middleton, MD
Pre-procedure self-swab testing begins for asymptomatic patients at U of U Health
Research led by Craig Selzman, MD, identifies possible benefits of amniotic fluid on reducing COVID-19 risks
Testing of undergraduates at University of Utah begins with 700 students—a prelude to the safe return to campus for fall semester
Reservations roll out for COVID-19, eliminating long lines for patients and stress on staff
Saliva testing proven just as effective as nasal swabs in largest comparison study to date
Self-collected saliva testing begins at U of U Health
Scope Radio launches Clinical podcast featuring the voices of frontline workers
JUNE 29 / DAY 117
Study led by Robert A. Campbell, PhD, demonstrates COVID-triggered hyperactivity in blood-clotting cells
JUNE 30 / DAY 118
Clues to COVID-19 complications come from hyperactive immune responses, according to research led by Elizabeth A. Middleton, MD
AUGUST 10 / DAY 159
Pre-procedure self-swab testing begins for asymptomatic patients at U of U Health
AUGUST 12 / DAY 161
Research led by Craig Selzman, MD, identifies possible benefits of amniotic fluid on reducing COVID-19 risks
AUGUST 15 / DAY 164
Testing of undergraduates at University of Utah begins with 700 students—a prelude to the safe return to campus for fall semester
AUGUST 19 / DAY 168
Reservations roll out for COVID-19, eliminating long lines for patients and stress on staff
AUGUST 20 / DAY 169
Saliva testing proven just as effective as nasal swabs in largest comparison study to date
AUGUST 24 / DAY 173
Self-collected saliva testing begins at U of U Health
AUGUST 25 / DAY 174
Scope Radio launches Clinical podcast featuring the voices of frontline workers
AUTUMN
COVID-19 deaths among Black essential workers linked to racial disparities, according to research by Fares Qeadan, PhD; Tiana Rogers, PhD; and Charles S. Rogers, PhD, MPH
Hurricane-strength windstorm topples testing tents and trees across campus (and the state)
College of Nursing offers COVID-19 grief and recovery support groups through Caring Connections program
SCALE-UP Utah initiative awarded $5 million to increase acceptance, reach, and sustainability of COVID-19 testing for rural and underserved populations
U of U Health further reduces wait times by moving to appointment-only COVID-19 testing
COVID-19 testing expands to Redstone Health Center in Park City
University of Utah hosts Vice Presidential Debate, testing more than 2,100 individuals for COVID-19 in one day
Drive-through COVID-19 testing expands to Rice-Eccles Stadium, offering convenience for faculty, staff, students, and area residents
SEPTEMBER 2 / DAY 182
COVID-19 deaths among Black essential workers linked to racial disparities, according to research by Fares Qeadan, PhD; Tiana Rogers, PhD; and Charles S. Rogers, PhD, MPH
SEPTEMBER 8 / DAY 188
Hurricane-strength windstorm topples testing tents and trees across campus (and the state)
SEPTEMBER 15 / DAY 195
College of Nursing offers COVID-19 grief and recovery support groups through Caring Connections program
SEPTEMBER 21 / DAY 201
SCALE-UP Utah initiative awarded $5 million to increase acceptance, reach, and sustainability of COVID-19 testing for rural and underserved populations
SEPTEMBER 25 / DAY 205
U of U Health further reduces wait times by moving to appointment-only COVID-19 testing
OCTOBER 5 / DAY 215
COVID-19 testing expands to Redstone Health Center in Park City
OCTOBER 7 / DAY 217
University of Utah hosts Vice Presidential Debate, testing more than 2,100 individuals for COVID-19 in one day
OCTOBER 12 / DAY 222
Drive-through COVID-19 testing expands to Rice-Eccles Stadium, offering convenience for faculty, staff, students, and area residents
Hospitalizations rise in Utah as COVID-19 case counts increase
University Hospital reaches 104% ICU capacity
BioFire COVID-19 rapid test becomes available at University Hospital
Huntsman Cancer Institute joins National Cancer Institute initiative to examine and address effects of COVID-19 on cancer prevention and control
Dr. Robert Redfield (Director of the CDC) and Dr. Deborah Birx (White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator) visit University Hospital
Gov. Gary Herbert issues statewide mask mandate
COVID-19 testing safely moves indoors at all U of U Health facilities in advance of colder weather
COVID-19 testing expands from just 5 U of U Health community health centers to all 12 across Salt Lake Valley
OCTOBER 16 / DAY 226
Hospitalizations rise in Utah as COVID-19 case counts increase
OCTOBER 18 / DAY 228
University Hospital reaches 104% ICU capacity
OCTOBER 19 / DAY 229
BioFire COVID-19 rapid test becomes available at University Hospital
OCTOBER 21 / DAY 231
Huntsman Cancer Institute joins National Cancer Institute initiative to examine and address effects of COVID-19 on cancer prevention and control
OCTOBER 31 / DAY 241
Dr. Robert Redfield (Director of the CDC) and Dr. Deborah Birx (White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator) visit University Hospital
NOVEMBER 9 / DAY 250
Gov. Gary Herbert issues statewide mask mandate
NOVEMBER 10 / DAY 251
COVID-19 testing safely moves indoors at all U of U Health facilities in advance of colder weather
NOVEMBER 11 / DAY 252
COVID-19 testing expands from just 5 U of U Health community health centers to all 12 across Salt Lake Valley
WINTER
Anticipating post-Thanksgiving spike in cases, U of U Health doctors urge Utahns to avoid large holiday celebrations
U of U Health administers first COVID-19 vaccine in Utah
“It feels like a beginning of the end.”-Christy, MICU nurse at U of U Health and first front line worker to get vaccinated in the state of Utah. pic.twitter.com/LV1Sr6xnmU
— University of Utah Health (@UofUHealth) December 15, 2020
Three weeks later, U of U Health delivers the second dose of vaccine—a little light at the end of the pandemic tunnel
So far, more than 16,800 health care workers have been immunized
Health care workers are at rising risk for COVID-19 mental health problems, according to research led by Andrew J. Smith, PhD, director of U of U Health's Occupational Trauma Program
Older adults over the age of 70 are now eligible to receive the vaccine
Further research by Torri Metz, MD, links severity of COVID-19 to likelihood of pregnancy complications
The Wellness Bus ends redeployment for COVID-19 testing and returns to normal operations as part of Driving Out Diabetes initiative
DECEMBER 3 / DAY 274
Anticipating post-Thanksgiving spike in cases, U of U Health doctors urge Utahns to avoid large holiday celebrations
DECEMBER 4 / DAY 275
U of U Health announces vaccine distribution plan
DECEMBER 15 / DAY 286
U of U Health administers first COVID-19 vaccine in Utah
“It feels like a beginning of the end.”-Christy, MICU nurse at U of U Health and first front line worker to get vaccinated in the state of Utah. pic.twitter.com/LV1Sr6xnmU
— University of Utah Health (@UofUHealth) December 15, 2020
JANUARY 7 / DAY 309
Three weeks later, U of U Health delivers the second dose of vaccine—a little light at the end of the pandemic tunnel
So far, more than 16,800 health care workers have been immunized
JANUARY 12 / DAY 314
Health care workers are at rising risk for COVID-19 mental health problems, according to research led by Andrew J. Smith, PhD, director of U of U Health's Occupational Trauma Program
JANUARY 18 / DAY 320
Older adults over the age of 70 are now eligible to receive the vaccine
JANUARY 28 / DAY 330
Further research by Torri Metz, MD, links severity of COVID-19 to likelihood of pregnancy complications
JANUARY 29 / DAY 331
The Wellness Bus ends redeployment for COVID-19 testing and returns to normal operations as part of Driving Out Diabetes initiative
“Keep Breathing” provides heart-wrenching, intimate look inside the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) at University Hospital
New CDC guidelines recommend double masking
Research into COVID-19 during pregnancy finds correlation between case severity and increased complications
U of U Health announces plan to begin vaccinating patients
COVID-19 ICU surge unit closes after 10 months of providing critical care to COVID-positive patients
Vaccine distribution for patients with high-risk conditions begins at Redwood Health Center
Vaccines now available for all patients aged 50 and up—while first batch of new single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine arrives at Farmington, South Jordan, and Sugar House Health Centers
FEBRUARY 1 / DAY 334
Information about new COVID-19 variants shared by University of Utah's Department of Human Genetics
FEBRUARY 5 / DAY 338
“Keep Breathing” provides heart-wrenching, intimate look inside the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) at University Hospital
FEBRUARY 9 / DAY 342
New CDC guidelines recommend double masking
FEBRUARY 12 / DAY 345
Research into COVID-19 during pregnancy finds correlation between case severity and increased complications
FEBRUARY 19 / DAY 352
U of U Health announces plan to begin vaccinating patients
FEBRUARY 25 / DAY 358
COVID-19 ICU surge unit closes after 10 months of providing critical care to COVID-positive patients
MARCH 1 / DAY 362
Vaccine distribution for patients with high-risk conditions begins at Redwood Health Center
MARCH 5 / DAY 366
Vaccines now available for all patients aged 50 and up—while first batch of new single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine arrives at Farmington, South Jordan, and Sugar House Health Centers
COVID-19 ONE YEAR LATER
Writing: Kylene Metzger, Nick McGregor, and Nafisa Masud
Data visualizations: Nafisa Masud
Design: Jesse Colby and Stace Hasegawa
Photography and illustrations: Charlie Ehlert, Jen Pilgreen, Bryan Jones, Pat Bagley of The Salt Lake Tribune, and Getty Images
Editing: Kathy Wilets and Julie Kiefer
This timeline represents the collective efforts of University of Utah Health and all of its subsidiaries and partners. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this project and to our resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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