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 July 19-25 on closures, openings, cancellations & news regarding the coronavirus in Idaho.
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527 New COVID-19 Cases Saturday, 73% in Ada And Canyon Counties
July 25 - 5:18 p.m.
State Health and Welfare said 527 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed by lab testing Saturday, with 73% of those new cases in Ada and Canyon Counties. The state also announced two new fatalities related to the coronavirus; one in Canyon County, the other in Twin Falls County. Since March, 146 Idahoans have now died from COVID-19 complications; 46 since July 1. State data showed more than a dozen new hospitalizations Saturday, but ICU data was different within pages of the state's information dashboard. Health and Welfare posted an increase of ten people admitted to ICU care Saturday, but the number of available ICU beds - listed in a different chart on the state dashboard - decreased by 18 Saturday.
The total number of people who have been confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus in Idaho is currently 16,735. Health and Welfare says 1,133 had asymptomatic cases and considers fewer than 5,500 to have recovered. It is not clear if the state counts asymptomatic people as recovered.
Six More Deaths And 500 New Cases
July 24 - 6:00 p.m.
Idaho reported six more deaths and 528 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 Friday. It’s not clear how many of the new cases were probable or lab confirmed because the state’s coronavirus portal was not updated as of 6 p.m. The numbers are usually reported at 5 p.m. every day, including weekends.
This week the state reports there are 569 people with COVID associated with long term care facilities with COVID-19. Sixty three facilities have current outbreaks.
Idaho Adds 385 Confirmed Cases On Thursday
July 23 - 5:20 p.m.
Idaho recorded 385 confirmed coronavirus cases on Thursday, for a total of 15,706 confirmed cases. Three additional deaths due to COVID-19 were tallied; two in Ada County and one in Canyon County.
More than thirty healthcare workers were confirmed to have COVID-19 for the second day in a row.
There were 147 confirmed cases in Ada County on Thursday, 84 cases in Canyon County, 44 cases in Kootenai County and 23 cases in Twin Falls County.
Idaho’s Daily Caseload Remains A Concern
July 22- 5:10 p.m.
State officials reported 461 new cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday, bringing the confirmed statewide total to 15,321. Ada County contributed to more than 6,000 of those cases.
The daily caseload is down from its highest level on July 15, but daily infection numbers remain a concern to health officials, who also worry about hospital capacity with this month’s surge in cases.
There have been 135 deaths in Idaho due to the coronavirus. Combining all the probable cases with the confirmed cases, the total number of Idaho residents thought to have been infected by COVID-19 was 16,322.
Coronavirus Cases, Deaths Rise Again After Single Day Drop
July 21 - 5:07 p.m.
After a slight, one-day dip, Idaho recorded more than 500 cases of coronavirus for the seventh time.
State officials confirmed another 523 cases and four deaths. Ada and Canyon counties continue to be the epicenter of Idaho’s biggest outbreaks, adding another 195 and 168 cases respectively.
Two of the four new deaths were in Ada County and one in Canyon County. The fourth death was in Jefferson County — its first.
Over the past week, Idaho has confirmed more than 3,900 cases of COVID-19.
Idaho Reports 3 New Deaths, 21 Hospitalizations, and 5 Cases Admitted to ICU
July 20 - 5:23 p.m.
State officials reported 358 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed by lab tests Monday. This brings the statewide total of confirmed cases to 14,337. There are an additional 929 probable cases statewide since the start of the pandemic in March.
Three new deaths were reported Monday, bringing the statewide total of deaths to 122. One death was in the 70-79 age group, while the other two fatalities were individuals 80 years or older.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reports 21 new hospitalizations and five cases admitted to the ICU.
Treasure Valley Accounts For 65% of Idaho's 1,096 New COVID-19 Infections This Weekend
July 19 - 7:30 p.m.
Idaho's confirmed total of COVID-19 cases since March nearly reached 14,000 Sunday, with 560 new infections statewide. Data from state Health and Welfare show Idaho is averaging 519 new confirmed cases per day since July 10.
Ada and Canyon Counties continue to surge, combining for 65% of the state's total confirmed cases over the weekend. According to census data from last July, Ada and Canyon Counties combine for 39% of Idaho's total population.
State data showed no new fatalities Sunday, the first day since July 13th without a death attributed to COVID-19. But, the State website appears to be missing a death reported Friday in eastern Idaho's Bingham County, which would be the 120th coronavirus-related fatality since the outbreak began in March. It was not immediately clear why that death was missing from the state coronavirus website.
Hospitalization data provided by Idaho Health and Welfare has not been updated beyond July 15, the date U.S. Health and Human Services ordered hospitals nationwide to report data to its new collection system instead of the system run by the Centers for Disease Control.
People aged 19-29 have the vast majority of confirmed cases in Idaho, nearly double the next closest age group: 30-39 year-olds. According to state data, which includes both confirmed and probable infections, people 39 and younger account for nearly 59% of statewide cases since March.
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: