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 information from May 3 - 9 on closures, openings, cancellations & news regarding the coronavirus in Idaho.
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22 Additional Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Saturday, no New Fatalities or Hospitalizations
May 9 - 5:10 p.m.
State health officials announced 22 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 Saturday, and an additional three probable cases. The statewide total number of cases climbed to 2,049 confirmed and 181 probable. The death toll remains at 67.
The number of people hospitalized due to infection did not change Saturday, but the two most impacted health districts, Central (which includes Ada County) and South Central (including Blaine and Twin Falls Counties) do not report on weekends.
The Idaho Statesman reported CS Beef Packers in Kuna reported 23 employees have tested positive for COVID-19, plus two additional contract workers. An additional employee was a probable case. Plant manager Steve Cherry told the paper the facility remains open with enhanced cleaning and sanitation programs and protective gear for all workers.
COVID-19 Affecting Racial And Ethnic Minorities At Higher Rates Idaho
May 8 - 10:49 a.m.
States across the country are witnessing a disproportionate amount of illness and deaths in minority populations due to COVID-19. According to new data released this week, Idaho is no different. Hispanic or Latino Idahoans, who make up just 13% of the state’s population, account for a whopping 23% of the confirmed coronavirus cases.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists a number of factors that could contribute to this disparity, such as lack of paid sick leave and less access to health care and health insurance.
Read Full Story Here.
Idaho Now Has More Than 2,000 Coronavirus Cases
May 7 - 5:15 p.m.
Twenty-one lab-confirmed coronavirus cases were added in Idaho on Thursday, putting the state just over 2,000 cases. Twenty-nine cases were added the day before. About 380 more tests were tallied today, 5.5% of which were positive. Nez Perce County had an additional COVID-19 death confirmed today; there are now 19 deaths in that county, the same number as in Idaho’s most populous Ada County.
Want To Reopen Your Gym? Here's How
May 6 - 4:47 p.m.
Some recreational facilities, such as gyms, tennis courts and indoor pools, are eligible to open in Stage 2 of the Governor Brad Little's reopening plan. And now, protocols have been released to help people safely do that.
These guidelines include keeping six feet of distance among staff and patrons, disinfecting equipment regularly, providing hand sanitizer and implementing reporting strategies in case of exposure in the facility.
"Star Card" ID Deadline Pushed Back To Fall 2021
May 6 - 2:00 p.m.
The deadline to get Idaho’s new federally-compliant version of a driver’s license, or “Star Card,” has been pushed back another year. That means residents will need to get that enhanced license by October 1, 2021 in order to use it to board flights, enter federal facilities or go onto military bases.
However, passports will still be an acceptable form of ID to board planes and enter those facilities even after the new deadline passes.
Coronavirus Caseload Drops Statewide, With One Additional Death Reported
May 5 - 5:14 p.m.
The number of new coronavirus cases dropped Tuesday compared to the last few days. State officials report 13 newly confirmed cases.
New data shows one additional person has died in Ada County, though another death previously reported in Canyon County has now been swapped to Ada. That brings the death count in Idaho’s largest county to 19.
Public health officials didn’t immediately know the source of the discrepancy.
Idaho SNAP Benefits Can Now Be Used For Online Purchases At Amazon And Walmart
May 5, 1 p.m.
Idaho families receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, also known as food stamps, can purchase groceries online starting today at Amazon and Walmart locations in Jerome and Caldwell.
All Walmart stores will begin accepting online SNAP orders starting Thursday.
For more information on SNAP, visit www.livebettidaho.gov or call 855-289-1427 to apply.
Idaho Restaurants Prepare To Re-Open In Phase Two Of Governor's Plan
May 5 - 12:05 p.m.
As Idaho moves into the second phase of reopening, many are wondering how restaurants are planning on keeping employees and customers safe. A food inspector with the Central District Health Department says many are doing a ‘very good job’ as they begin reviewing scores of restaurants’ reopening plans.
Read Full Story Here.
39 New Cases, No Deaths Reported Monday
May 4 - 5:21 p.m.
Just four days into phase one of reopening Idaho, state officials reported 39 new confirmed cases of coronavirus — 18 on Sunday and 21 on Monday. No additional deaths have been reported, keeping the statewide total at 64. Nez Perce County saw the biggest spike with 14 additional cases and Twin Falls County logged 11.
Between Friday and Saturday, numbers for both hospitalizations and ICU admissions jumped: 22 cases were hospitalized and seven were admitted to the ICU. Since the first confirmed case of coronavirus in Idaho on March 13, a total of 201 cases have been hospitalized and 83 have been admitted to the ICU.
Boise GreenBike Relaunches Today
May 4 - 9:40 a.m.
Boise GreenBike will resume today after shutting down for more than a month due to COVID-19 and it’s offering free ride. The bike share has terminals around the city and rides will be free for up to an hour for two weeks.
To get free rides you have to sign up for the program through their app or at Boise.GreenBike.com.
Samples From Idaho Help Scientists Chart The Path Of Novel Coronavirus
May 4 - 7:45 a.m.
When people test positive for COVID-19, public health officials ask about their recent movements and with whom they've interacted. This process is called contact tracing, and its purpose is to learn about how the disease has spread in an area to prevent further transmission.
At the same time, scientists at research institutions are trying to answer these same questions about the outbreak by looking more closely at the virus itself.
USDA Aims To Help Connect Ailing Ag Industry And Food Banks, But May Be Too Late For Some
May 4 - 7:25 a.m.
Farmers and ranchers are struggling right now. COVID-19 has messed up supply chains and many are dumping produce. Meanwhile, food banks are struggling to provide for all the new people who need it. Federal programs aim to help ... but may not work for everyone.
News & Updates:
- The Idaho Official Resources for the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Updates
- World Health Organization Coronavirus Updates
- NPR Coronavirus Coverage
Resources:
