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Boise State Public Radio News is here to keep you current on the news surrounding COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.

Coronavirus In Idaho Live Blog: Resources & News

CDC

As of Feb. 8, 2021 this post will no longer be updated. If you are looking for information regarding when and where to get your COVID-19 vaccine, click here. If you’re searching for the most recent data for COVID-19 cases and deaths in Idaho, check the state's dashboard here.

Boise State Public Radio is committed to bringing you important and timely coverage of the pandemic across Idaho. We will continue to track trends and report them out in our stories. If you have questions regarding COVID-19 news & resources, please email kbsxnewsroom@boisestate.edu.

Original post:

Boise State Public Radio is here to keep you current on the news surrounding COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. This blog contains on closures, cancellations & news regarding the coronavirus in Idaho.

Looking for resources? Click here. Idaho's vaccine updates are here. If you have specific questions or a story about the virus in Idaho, please submit them here.

If you are searching for information on something specific, we recommend using the "find" function (CTRL+F on a PC, COMMAND+F on a Mac), or check the archived blog posts at the bottom of this page.

Member support is what makes local COVID-19 reporting possible. Support this coverage here.

Nine New Fatalities Saturday, Additional Vaccine On The Way

February 6 - 6:45 p.m.

State health officials say nine more people have died of COVID-19 in Idaho, but the number of new cases continues its recent decline. Saturday, the state confirmed just 178 new cases by lab tests. An additional 62 cases were added as probable for a single-day total of 240 new cases. The Treasure Valley (Ada and Canyon counties) combined for 99 of the day's new total cases, 41%, and five of the day's nine fatalities. Still, capita, the most significant outbreaks are in Blaine, Teton and Madison counties according to Idaho Health and Welfare.

The death toll in Idaho stands at 1,767.

Idaho is receiving about 21,000 first doses of COVID-19 vaccine each week, and according to the state vaccine advisory committee, the federal government will begin supplying Walmart and Albertson's pharmacies with doses in addition to Idaho's allotment. 

Saturday, the state vaccine information dashboard showed 34,411 Idahoans have received both first and second doses, and 107,053 people have received only the first dose.

11 New Deaths; More than 32,000 Idahoans Vaccinated

Feb. 5 - 5:45 p.m.

Idaho added 326 confirmed and 78 probable coronavirus cases on Friday as the state’s new case numbers continue to decrease. There have now been 164,969 confirmed and probable cases since the beginning of the pandemic, and 1,758 deaths statewide.

The state also reported 11 new deaths on Friday. Bonneville County added three deaths, Ada and Kootenai counties reported two deaths each, and Bannock, Bonner, Canyon, and Minidoka counties reported one death each.

Long term care facilities across Idaho reported no new outbreaks and 10 new deaths over the past week.

So far, 32,079 Idahoans have received both vaccine doses.

Idaho Cases Continue To Drop

Feb. 4 - 6:00 p.m. 

 

Idaho added 402 new coronavirus cases on Thursday — 308 lab-confirmed and 94 more probable cases. There have now been 133,939 confirmed cases and 30,626 probable cases since the start of the pandemic. 

 

Idaho’s death count due to COVID-19 decreased by one on Thursday, as a death in Canyon County was removed after updated records indicated the person did not die of COVID-19. Now, the state total is 1,747 deaths. 

 

The percent of COVID-19 PCR tests coming back positive is now the lowest it’s been since September at 7%. In recent weeks, the total number of weekly tests administered has been lower than it was throughout the late fall.

7 New Deaths As COVID Cases Continue On A Downward Trend

February 3 - 5:35 p.m.

 

The state of Idaho reported 393 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 with another 114 probable cases for a total of 507 new cases on Wednesday. There were seven new deaths - one in each of the following counties: Ada, Bonneville, Bonner, Franklin, Payette, Shoshone and Valley. Since the start of the pandemic, there have been 133,631 lab-confirmed cases of the virus, another 1,748 residents have died.

 

The number of ICU beds available decreased to 130, 13 fewer beds than on Tuesday. There are 520 ventilators free for patients across the state. 

 

As the vaccine rollout continues for residents 65 and older, 26,415 Idahoans have been fully immunized against the virus. 

 

Idaho Adds 6 New COVID Deaths As State Moves To Stage 3

Feb. 2 - 5:32 p.m.

Idaho health officials are reporting six new deaths and 380 confirmed cases of COVID-19 as the governor loosens restrictions on gatherings and businesses. Another 111 probable cases were also reported for a total of 491 combined cases Tuesday.

Tuesday’s six deaths include two in Nez Perce County, as well as one in each of Ada, Cassia, Minidoka and Payette counties.

In all, 1,741 people have died in Idaho due to the coronavirus pandemic, with 133,238 confirmed cases. Health officials suspect another 30,418 probable cases.

Hospitalizations continue to fall. As of Jan. 30, the most recent data available, 156 people were hospitalized — 46 of them in the ICU — statewide. 

Idaho Moves To Stage 3 Of Gov. Little's COVID-19 Plan Despite High ICU Admissions

February 2 - 11:30 a.m.

Idaho is moving forward into Stage 3 of Gov. Brad Little’s reopening plan as case counts and hospitalizations have fallen since their peaks in December.

Gathering limits have now increased from 10 to 50 people, with schools, school sports and churches exempt from such requirements. Read the story here.

Idaho Seniors Frustrated As COVID-19 Vaccine Demand Outpaces Supply

February 2 - 7:20 a.m.

As Idaho vaccine providers opened up appointments to residents 65 years of age and older, seniors across the state frantically called hotlines and refreshed web pages in hopes of getting one of the prized slots for the limited doses. Read the full story here.

Idaho Reports Double-Digit COVID-19 Deaths Monday

February 1 - 5:16 p.m.

 

After no reporting of data Sunday, Idaho health officials added 380 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 Monday, with an additional 102 cases listed as probable. The statewide total of confirmed cases is now 132,858 since March.

 

Ten COVID-19 deaths were also reported Monday: four in Ada County, two in Canyon County, and one each in Bannock, Benewah, Bingham and Power counties.

 

At the same time Idaho’s percent positivity rates have declined to 8.3%, the state’s confirmed daily case counts are coming in at low numbers we haven’t seen since October. 

 

Similar downward trends are also reported in the most recent data available for hospitalizations and ICU admissions for COVID-19 on Jan. 30. 

 

Monday morning marked the opening day for Idahoans 65 and older to make appointments to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Appointment slots were gone within minutes, St. Luke’s said, about 100,000 people tried to schedule vaccinations first thing in the morning. Other health systems reported similar scenarios Monday.

Protocol For Extra Vaccine Varies Across Idaho

February 1 - 7:15 a.m.

Idaho’s healthcare providers say they are using tight scheduling to limit unassigned doses of the COVID-19 vaccine that would go bad if not used within a few hours. But surprise doses happen anyway. Read the full story here.

No New Deaths, 328 Total New Cases Saturday

January 30 - 6:35 p.m.

State health officials posted zero new COVID-19 fatalities Saturday, keeping the statewide death toll at 1,725. The number of new cases continues to trend downward, with 261 new lab-confirmed cases and 67 additional probable infections Saturday.

Infection hotspots in Idaho include Blaine, Teton and Valley counties - each nearby or home to a major ski resort.

The state's vaccine dashboard showed 21,709 Idahoans fully vaccinated by both doses as of Saturday morning. Nearly 100,000 people have received at least one shot of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, but a shortage led to St. Alphonsus canceling scheduled vaccination appointments at two sites between February 1-8, according to the Idaho Statesman. 

Health officials previously said they expected nearly 21,000 first doses to arrive each week in Idaho. Speaking Thursday, Governor Brad Little said the state was expecting around 24,000 per week.

Five New Deaths; More Than 20,000 Idahoans Completely Vaccinated

January 29 - 5:15 p.m.

On Friday, Idaho added 535 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and an additional 100 probable cases as the rate of new infections continues to hover around mid-October levels. Idaho has added 161,720 confirmed and probable cases since the pandemic began.

The state also added five new deaths. Bannock, Bonner, Canyon, Gooding, and Kootenai counties each reported one death. One death was removed from Ada county, bringing the state’s total of coronavirus-related deaths to 1,725.

Over the past week, the state saw one new outbreak and 19 deaths at its long term care facilities.

As of Friday morning, 20,301 Idahoans have received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine.

COVID-19 Cases On The Decline As Gov. Little Promises More Vaccine Transparency

January 28 - 5:15 p.m. 

 

Idaho added 324 confirmed and 184 probable COVID-19 cases for a total of 508 cases on Thursday. There have now been 131,682 confirmed cases, and 30,038 more probable cases, over the course of the pandemic. 

 

Seven deaths were added on Thursday, bringing the statewide total of COVID-19 death to 1,721. Four of the day’s deaths were in Ada County and three were in Kootenai County.  

 

As of Thursday morning, Idaho had administered 108,364 COVID-19 doses and 19,064 people had received both doses. 

 

During a press conference on Thursday, Gov. Brad Little announced he signed an executive order to increase vaccine reporting transparency. It will require local public health districts and health care providers to regularly report the number of vaccine doses that have been allocated, how many shots have been given and how many doses remain in storage.

26 New Fatalities, Daily New Cases Inch Back Up Wednesday

January 27 - 6:40 p.m.

Health officials in Idaho identified 620 new COVID-19 infections Wednesday, 450 of which were confirmed by lab testing. New daily case numbers have declined in recent days; the seven-day average of confirmed cases is 408, lowest since mid-October.

Since March, 160,592 total cases have been identified in Idaho, 131,358 were confirmed by lab testing

Fatalities likely related to the December spike in cases persist, with 26 new deaths reported by the state Wednesday, ten in northern Idaho's Kootenai County. Ada County posted five new fatalities, Canyon County logged three, and Bonner and Bonneville each had two. Clearwater, Idaho, Jefferson and Owyhee Counties each reported a single death. The cumulative death toll since March rose to 1,714.

After falling for more than ten consecutive days, hospitalizations began rising again, jumping to 241 people January 25, up from 199 hospitalizations two days prior. The number of critical care patients rose slightly to 64.

The state's vaccine dashboard showed 102,713 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines have been administered in Idaho; 16,843 people have received the first and second shots.

Governor Brad Little will hold a public briefing Thursday at 1 p.m. to discuss ongoing vaccine distribution efforts.

Idaho Adds 7 More COVID-19 Deaths As Hospitalizations Decline

January 26 - 5:18 p.m.

Another seven people have died from COVID-19 as the state adds another 389 confirmed cases to its total.

Since March 13, Idaho has seen 130,908 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with another 29,684 cases classified as probable. Altogether, 1,688 people have died from the disease.

Six of Tuesday’s death occurred in Ada County, while Bonneville County reported one death.

Daily case numbers and hospitalizations continue to decline.

As of Jan. 23, the latest data available, 169 people were hospitalized — 53 of them in the ICU. Hospitalizations haven’t been that low since Oct. 3. ICU admissions dipped briefly below 53 on Jan. 1 before shooting up again.

Idaho Adds More Than 400 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Monday

January 25 - 5:16 p.m.

 

Idaho health officials added 414 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 Monday with an additional 113 cases listed as probable. The statewide total of confirmed cases is now 130,519 since March.

 

Twelve COVID-19 fatalities were also reported Monday: three in Kootenai County, two each in Canyon and Bannock counties, and one each in Bingham, Bonneville, Clearwater, Jefferson and Valley counties. Idaho’s death toll is now 1,681.

 

In the most recent data available for hospitalizations on Jan. 23, state officials reported 169 patients hospitalized with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 – the lowest number recorded since the beginning of October.

 

As of Monday morning, 93,582 total doses of the COVID-19 vaccine had been administered in Idaho. Health officials are preparing to open vaccinations to Idahoans 65 years and older starting in early February.

Idaho Prepares To Expand COVID-19 Distribution To More Groups

January 25 - 7:15 a.m.

In the beginning of February another large group of Idahoans will be able to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

State health officials say getting through the roughly 300,000 residents who are 65 or older who will become eligible then could take about 10 weeks if the state’s vaccine allotment of 20,925 first doses a week doesn’t increase. Read the full story here.

Idaho Adds 13 Coronavirus Deaths

January 22 - 5:30 p.m.

On Friday, Idaho added 598 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 13 new deaths. More than 400,000 Americans—including 1,667 Idahoans—have died from the virus.

Of the new deaths, three were reported in Canyon County. Bannock, Bonneville, and Jefferson Counties reported two deaths each. Bingham, Gem, Kootenai, and Twin Falls Counties reported one death each.

Over the past week, the state’s long term care facilities reported four new coronavirus outbreaks and 15 fatalities.

As of Friday morning, 13,732 Idahoans have received both doses of the coronavirus vaccine.

Nineteen COVID-19 Deaths Recorded On Thursday

January 21 - 5:33 p.m. 

Idaho added 19 COVID-19 deaths on Thursday. Bonneville and Kootenai counties both had four deaths, Ada County had three and Canyon County had two. Bingham, Bonner, Custer, Jefferson, Payette and Valley counties each recorded one death.

 

There were 430 confirmed and 182 probable COVID-19 cases added as well, for a daily total of 612 new cases. There have been 129,493 confirmed COVID-19 cases over the course of the pandemic.

 

Clearwater, Teton and Blaine counties have the highest seven-day average case rates in the state this week.

Two COVID-19 Deaths Removed From State Total

January 20 - 5:20 p.m. 

Idaho added 566 lab-confirmed coronavirus cases and 244 probable cases on Wednesday for a daily total of 810 new cases. There have now been 157,588 confirmed and probable cases in Idaho over the course of the pandemic. 

 

The state removed two deaths in Gem County from the state total. Now it shows 1,635 Idahoans have died due to the virus. 

 

Idaho continues its effort to administer the COVID-19 vaccines to health care workers, long-term care residents and staff, teachers and first responders. So far 73,209 doses have been given out and 11,778 individuals in the state have received both doses. 

 

As of Wednesday morning, the CDC had distributed 166,850 doses of the vaccines to Idaho.

Idaho Ramps Up COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution, More Doses On The Way

January 20 - 7:45 a.m.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare says it’s not true that federal COVID-19 vaccine reserves are depleted. The state says it will continue to receive doses as expected. Read the entire story here.

Axing Emergency Declaration May Hurt Idaho's Coronavirus Vaccine Rollout, Officials Say

January 20 - 7:05 a.m.

State senators are moving forward with their effort to end Idaho’s emergency declaration due to the COVID-19 pandemic, though Idaho could still lose millions in federal funding if it’s passed. Read the full story here.

Idaho Reports Another 30 People Dead Tuesday From COVID-19

January 19 - 5:54 p.m.

Idaho recorded another 30 deaths and 1,224 combined cases of COVID-19 over the past two days. 

State officials didn’t report data over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.

 

That includes 975 lab-confirmed cases and 249 probable cases.

 

Six people died in both Canyon and Kootenai counties; four people died in Ada County; Gem County reported three deaths; Twin Falls tallied two deaths; and one death was recorded in each of Bannock, Bonner, Bonneville, Caribou, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, Payette and Washington counties.

 

Overall, hospitalizations are inching downward. According to the latest data, 266 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 or a suspected case of it as of Jan. 16. 

 

ICU admissions had been creeping back up, but saw a slight drop that day to 77.

 

Idaho's Health And Welfare Provides A Multilingual Resource During The Pandemic

January 19 - 8:20 a.m.

As the vaccine rollout continues into its sixth week and clinics around the valley begin to allow registration, many questions still remain for Idahoans. Idaho’s health department is hoping their COVID hotline will help reach more populations in different languages.

Spanish speakers can call into Health and Welfare’s COVID-19 Help Now Line with questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, the new strain of the virus and where to find resources. Read the entire story here.

Idaho Public Health Districts Hire Lobbyist For Legislative Session

January 19 - 7:05 a.m.

The pandemic has brought Idaho’s public health districts into the spotlight. Many of their decisions — from mask mandates to recommendations for online schooling — have been heavily scrutinized, attracting large crowds to meetings and sometimes protests, too.

Now the seven local health districts are anticipating more attention during the 2021 legislative session. Collectively, they’ve hired a lobbyist, Mike Kane, a Boise lawyer who has represented individual districts. Read the full story here.

Total Hospitalizations Level Off, But Number of ICU Patients On The Rise

January 16 - 8:08 p.m.

State health officials confirmed 523 new COVID-19 infections Saturday, and added another 282 probable cases for a single-day total of 806 statewide. In Ada County, 317 new cases were identified - 39% of the day's total. 

Two new fatalities were reported; one each in Canyon and Twin Falls counties. The cumulative statewide death toll stands at 1,605 people since March. 

Data show the number of people requiring hospital care has leveled off, down about 22% from the peak of COVID hospitalizations in early December. As of January 13, 90 COVID-19 patients were receiving ICU care, a number which has steadily risen more than 25% since January 2.

Idaho Adds 12 Deaths As Global Death Toll Passes Two Million

January 15 - 5:45 p.m.

As of Friday, COVID-19 has killed more thantwo million people globally; 1603 of those people were Idahoans.

The state reported 12 new deaths on Friday. Bonner and Kootenai Counties reported three deaths each, Bannock and Bonneville Counties each reported two fatalities, and Bingham and Canyon Counties each reported one death.

Idaho’s long-term care facilities reported 51 new coronavirus-related deaths over the past week.

The state also added 671 lab-confirmed coronavirus cases, with an additional 441 probable cases. As of Friday morning, 9,739 Idahoans have been fully immunized, and 31,685 have received at least one vaccine dose.

Central District Health: Despite Vaccine Rollout, Keep Your Mask On

January 15 - 4:54 p.m.

The Board of Central District Health met Friday morning for an update on the spread of COVID-19, the strain found in the United Kingdom and vaccine distribution, among other items. Read the entire story here.

Information Roadblocks To Vaccinating Idahoans In Latino & Latina Communities

January 15 - 7:15 a.m.

Latino and Latina communities continue to face higher rates ofinfection and death from COVID-19. Now community organizers are working to combat a new obstacle: fear around getting the vaccine. Read the entire story here.

Idaho Reports 27 COVID-19 Deaths

January 14 - 5:10 p.m. 

 

Idaho reported 27 COVID-19 deaths on Thursday — the second-highest daily death total in 2021 thus far. 

 

Six of the deaths were in Bannock County. Canyon and Bonneville counties each reported three deaths; Minidoka, Clearwater and Ada counties had two deaths; Washington, Teton, Power, Owyhee, Jerome, Gem, Gooding, Bonner and Blaine counties each had one death.

 

The state also reported 994 new COVID-19 cases — 715 confirmed and 279 probable cases. 

 

Idaho has administered 46,703 vaccine doses as of Thursday morning, and 8,859 individuals have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine. According to the CDC, 160,075 vaccine doses have been distributed to Idaho.

8 More Deaths As More Than 7,000 Idahoans Have Been Fully Immunized

January 13 - 6:10 p.m.

The number of Idahoans who have received both vaccine shots against COVID-19 stands at 7,280 with another 28,016 residents having had their first immunization. The currently available vaccines require two doses to reach maximum immunity. The state reports 788 people have tested positive for the virus Wednesday with another 303 listed as probable cases. Since March, 125,036 people in Idaho have had a lab-confirmed case of the disease.

Eight more Idahoans have succumbed to the novel coronavirus. Both Ada and Kootenai Counties reported two deaths each, while Benewah, Bingham, Franklin, Gem, Oneida and Shoshone Counties each reported one fatality. Bonneville and Cassia Counties each removed one death from their overall tallies. So far, Idaho has lost 1,564 people to the virus. 

 

Teachers And First Responders Can Now Get The COVID-19 Vaccine In Idaho

January 13 - 7:05 a.m.

Some frontline workers in Idaho will be able to receive a COVID-19 vaccine earlier than expected.

Based on the state’s new timeline, firefighters, police officers, pre-K through 12th grade school staff, daycare workers and correctional facility staff are now eligible to receive the vaccine. Read the entire story here.

Idaho Adds 12 COVID-19 Deaths Tuesday As Cases Spike Back Up

January 12 - 5:36 p.m.

Idaho racked up another 12 deaths and 731 confirmed cases of COVID-19 Tuesday. 

State health officials recorded another 303 probable cases for a total of 1,034 new cases. Since mid-March, 1,556 people have died and Idaho has recorded 124,248 confirmed cases and an additional 27,025 probable cases.

Ada County tallied 9 new deaths Tuesday, with one each in Canyon, Gooding and Twin Falls counties. 

Idaho’s raw case numbers have been trending downward since a record high of 2,298 total cases on Dec. 9, but the most recent testing data show the state’s positivity rate was 16.2% through the week of Jan. 2. 

Health officials have long advocated for a positivity rate under 5% to consider reopening state and local governments.

As of Jan 9., the latest data available, 283 people had been hospitalized with probable or confirmed cases of COVID-19 — 72 of whom are in the ICU.

Idaho Logs Double-Digit COVID-19 Deaths Monday

January 11 - 5:16 p.m.

 

State health officials added 440 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 Monday with an additional 132 cases listed as probable. The statewide total of confirmed cases in Idaho is now 123,517 since March.

 

Ten COVID-19 fatalities were also reported Monday. Kootenai County recorded four deaths and one death each was reported in the following counties: Bannock, Bonner, Bonneville, Idaho, Lewis and Nez Perce. Idaho’s death toll is now 1,544.

 

After an initial increase in hospitalizations at the start of the month, the number of hospitalized patients with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 has dropped. The most recent data available on the state’s website shows 283 hospitalized individuals as of Saturday, Jan. 9. 

 

Although ICU admissions are down compared to the month of December, those levels have remained fairly elevated since the first of the year. 

 

On its new COVID-19 Vaccine Data Dashboard, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reports 31,487 Idahoans have received the vaccine as of Monday morning. A total of 4,335 people have received both doses.

782 New Confirmed Cases Saturday, Five New Deaths

January 9 - 7:20 p.m.

State health officials identified 977 new COVID-19 cases in Idaho Saturday, 782 of which were confirmed by lab testing. The cumulative number of lab-confirmed cases since March is 122,736, plus an additional 26,499 probable cases. New population estimates for Idaho show a statewide population of about 1,800,000 people - meaning approximately 8% of the state's population has contracted COVID-19. Because many people may carry the virus with minimal or no symptoms, and may not see a medical professional, that percentage could be much higher.

Five new fatalities were posted Saturday, pushing the death toll to 1,528. New deaths occured in Canyon (2), Bonneville, Cassia and Owyhee counties. Ada County on Saturday did not have a reported death for the first time in five days.

The state announced starting January 11, vaccination data will only be updated three times each week, similar to the Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule for hospitalization data.

Outbreaks Resolved In 25 Long-Term Care Facilities, Priority Groups Receiving Second Vaccine Dose

January 8 - 5:45 p.m.

Idaho reported 838 new lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases and six deaths on Friday.

Ada County reported two deaths. Elmore, Gooding, Kootenai, and Twin Falls counties reported one death each.

Since the beginning of January, two of Idaho’s long-term care facilities have reported new coronavirus outbreaks and 25 facilities have reported their outbreaks as resolved.

Idaho is still vaccinating the highest-priority groups: healthcare personnel and long-term care facility residents, some of whom received their second doses this week. As of Friday morning, 28,194 vaccine doses have been administered to 26,806 Idahoans.

 

Idaho Vaccine Committee Advises Moving Residents 65 And Older Up On Priority List

January 8 - 5:15 p.m.

Idaho’s COVID-19 vaccine advisory committee voted to move adults 65 and older up on the state’s priority list on Friday.

Health care workers and long-term care residents and staff are still in the process of getting their doses; some began receiving second doses this week. Read the full story here.

Idaho Records 29 COVID-19 Deaths

January 7 - 5:20 p.m. 

 

Idaho added 29 COVID-19 deaths on Thursday It’s the highest daily death count in 2021 thus far. 

 

Canyon and Kootenai counties each had six deaths; Ada County had three deaths; Bonner, Franklin and Lincoln counties had two; and Bannock, Bingham, Bonneville, Boundary Gooding, Shoshone Teton and Washington counties each saw one death. 

 

The confirmed COVID-19 case count dipped to 722 new cases on Thursday, but there were also 345 probable cases for a daily total of 1,067 new cases. 

 

As of Thursday morning, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare was reporting 25,416 vaccine doses had been administered in the state.

 

The Intersection Of Politics And The Pandemic, In Idaho And The Nation

January 7 - 7:00 a.m.

As the nation approaches the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and states across the U.S. — including Idaho — anticipate the 2021 legislative season, the pandemicis certain to intersect with politics through much of the year ahead.

Boise State University Associate Professor Dr. Jaclyn Kettler visited with Morning Edition host George Prentice to talk about how the pandemic will cast a long, wide shadow on Capitol Hill and the Idaho Statehouse. Read the entire story here.

Idaho Reports 17 New Deaths, The Highest Rate In 2021

January 6 - 5:30 p.m.

After five days of reporting 12 and fewer deaths, the state death toll ticked up to 17 on Wednesday. There were 933 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases with another 330 probable cases bringing the total daily number to 1,263. 
 
Canyon County reported three deaths. Two deaths were reported in each of the following counties: Ada, Bannock, Bingham, Clearwater and Kootenai and one death was reported in Bonner, Cassia, Payette and Shoshone Counties. 
 
The availability of ICU beds decreased from the previous day to 123, while the number of ventilators open increased to 504 across Idaho. So far, 22,822 doses of the vaccine have been given to residents. 

Idaho To Receive 20,000 COVID-19 Vaccine Doses Each Week

January 6 - 7:15 a.m.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare hosted its first weekly COVID-19 vaccine briefing Tuesday, about three weeks after the first dose was administered in the state. 

As of Tuesday afternoon, Idaho had received 83,475 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and 20,843 — about a quarter of those received — had been administered. However, the state’s tally of vaccines administered can be delayed by a few days. Read the entire story here.

Central District Health On COVID-19 Hospitalizations, ICU Admissions, Test Positivity Rates

January 6 - 7:00 a.m.

While most Idahoans have moved on from the Christmas/New Year break, caregivers nervously await what could be a post-holiday surge of COVIID-19.

"Typically what we see is that people will begin to become ill about five days after exposure to the virus," said Kimberly Link, program manager at Central District Health. "So, for those who, maybe, were exposed around Christmas, those people are ill at this point."

Read the full story here.

Idaho Adds Another 12 COVID-19 Deaths As Cases Tick Back Up

January 5 - 5:40 p.m.

Idaho added another 12 deaths and 983 confirmed cases of COVID-19 Tuesday.

An additional 555 probable cases — the state’s largest total recorded during the pandemic — brings the day’s total estimated case count to 1,538.

Since mid-March, 1,471 people have died in Idaho due to the coronavirus, with 119,461 confirmed cases and another 25,382 probable cases.

Kootenai County recorded four deaths; three people died in Ada County; two died in Boundary County; and one person died in each of Bonner, Cassia, Shoshone and Valley counties.

State health officials subtracted a death from Canyon County Tuesday, which has seen the second-highest total death toll in Idaho at 222.

Hospitalizations, which had fallen since around Christmastime, are inching their way back up. As of Jan. 2, the latest data available, 254 people were hospitalized with a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 — 54 of them were in the ICU at that time.

Idaho Logs 11 COVID-19 Deaths After Another Holiday Weekend

January 4 - 5:20 p.m.

 

After two days of no COVID-19 fatalities reported, Idaho logged 11 deaths the Monday after two consecutive long holiday weekends. Three of the deaths were reported in Bingham County. Both Canyon and Kootenai Counties recorded two deaths each, and one death was reported in each of the following counties: Bannock, Benewah, Franklin and Madison.

 

State officials added 580 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 Monday. An additional 218 cases were listed as probable. The statewide total of confirmed cases is now 118,478. 

 

The most recent data available for both hospitalizations and ICU admissions over the holiday weekend continue to show a declining trend in both statistics. COVID-19 hospitalizations across the St. Luke’s system were down more than 60% at the end of the year compared to early December.

 

However, medical professionals say hospitals are not out of the woods because they have yet to see the effects of holiday gatherings.

 

As of Monday morning, 19,569 vaccine doses had been administered in Idaho.

Idaho Avoids Rationing Care As COVID-19 Admissions To Largest Hospital System Dip

January 4 - 7:15 a.m.

Idaho’s largest hospital systems predicted they might need to ration health care before the end of 2020, but they haven’t reached that point yet. Read the full story here.

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