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 June 28 - July 4 on closures, openings, cancellations & news regarding the coronavirus in Idaho.
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378 New Confirmed Cases July 4, Majority in Canyon, Ada Counties
July 4 - 5:30 p.m.
State Health officials say lab results confirmed another 378 cases of COVID-19 Saturday, the second-highest daily total since the outbreak began in March according to state data. The state website shows 776 new cases confirmed in the past two days.
Saturday, Ada and Canyon counties accounted for 287 new confirmed cases; 76% of the statewide total. Canyon County Saturday set a new record high of daily cases (163) for the fourth day this week, according to the Idaho Statesman. For the week ending Saturday, July 4, Ada county added 672 confirmed cases and Canyon county added 549. New cases have boomed in the Treasure Valley since June 19.
The total lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus in Idaho is 6,779.
The state says 93 people have died from COVID-19, but data from health districts shows 94 fatalities.
Idaho Adds 217 Confirmed Coronavirus Cases, 79 Of Them In Canyon County
July 2 - 5:10 p.m.
Idaho added 217 confirmed coronavirus cases for a state total of 6,003 on Thursday and no additional deaths. Canyon County saw the largest uptick with 79 new cases, followed by Ada County (48 new cases) and Twin Falls (26 new cases). Fifteen of Thursday’s cases were healthcare workers.
Boise State University Drops Some Sports Amid Coronavirus Budget Woes
July 2 - 9:24 a.m.
Boise State University is cutting three of its sports programs as the school continues to deal with the financial fallout of COVID-19.
Men’s baseball and women’s swimming and diving will not return next year, saving the athletics department $3 million.
These Idaho Cities Have Mandated Face Masks
July 2 - 8:30 a.m.
Idaho hit its highest daily total of coronavirus cases this week with 341 new confirmed cases reported on Tuesday. Now some local governments are responding by mandating face coverings in public.
Ada County To Require Masks In All Government Buildings
July 2 - 7:00 a.m.
Ada County will now require all employees and anyone entering a county building to wear a mask, as the area battles a large surge in coronavirus cases.
The new policy applies to all county buildings, including the courthouse in downtown Boise. County officials say masks will be available to those who don’t have one or forgot to bring their own.
Idaho Reports Another 233 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
July 1 - 5:12 p.m.
Idaho reported another 233 confirmed cases of COVID-19 Wednesday, continuing a grim trend.
After topping 200 cases just once from March through much of June, the state has surpassed that number seven of the past eight days.
Wednesday's cases brings the state's total to 5,786 confirmed cases. No new deaths were reported and that number stands at 92.
The rising cases have caused Idaho to pause its reopening at Phase 4, though practically that means very little, as almost all businesses are allowed to be open. Ada County has shut down bars once more and the cities of Moscow and Hailey have mandated mask-wearing.
Idaho School Leaders 'Nailing Jello' In Preparing To Reopen
July 1 - 7:15 a.m.
The American Academy of Pediatrics this week said schools should reopen as soon as possible. The group representing more than 67,000 pediatricians wrote that the effects of keeping schools closed is worse for kids than the risks of COVID-19.
Idaho Sets New Single Day Record As Cases Climb In Ada, Canyon Counties
June 30 - 5:21 p.m.
Idaho saw another record day of confirmed coronavirus cases as numbers continue to climb amid the final phase of the state’s reopening plan.
341 new cases were recorded by state officials Tuesday. Last week set two new single-day records, with the previous being 263 last Friday.
The majority of these cases were detected in Ada and Canyon counties. Central District Health last week implemented new restrictions in Ada County, closing bars, large venues and reducing the size of allowable public and private gatherings.
It’s the only county in the state under such restrictions after Gov. Brad Little relinquished much of his control over the coronavirus response to the seven public health districts.
Little also said the rest of the state would remain in the final phase of his reopening plan amid the surge in outbreaks.
Since March 13, Idaho has confirmed 5,553 cases of COVID-19 and 92 deaths.
Idaho Adds 422 New Cases Over Last Two Days
June 29 - 5:14 p.m.
Idaho has 422 new lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus, with 221 positive tests on Sunday and another 201 for Monday. Five of the last six days have seen daily case counts at more than 200. Ada County remains a hotspot and has had the most cases since the start of the pandemic at 1,920. The county has moved back to a modified Stage 3 of the reopening process, which means bars are closed. Because of the recent surge, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare announced today it will start reporting new COVID-19 cases every day including Sundays and holidays. It was previously updating its coronavirus.idaho.gov site Monday to Saturday.
Nonprofits Get Creative With Fundraising, As They Reach More People During The Pandemic
June 29 - 7:45 a.m.
Nonprofit organizations are serving more clients during the pandemic, which requires more money. Many of these groups host big events in the spring and summer to raise funds for the year. To maintain social distancing, organizations have had to think of new ways to make sure their doors stay open.
Millions Gained Access To Telehealth During The Pandemic, But Can They Keep It?
June 29 - 7:00 a.m.
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the nation to figure out something it's tried to do for years: increase access to telehealth.
That’s true across the nation and in rural Western states like Idaho.
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:
