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 26 - Aug. 1 on closures, openings, cancellations & news regarding the coronavirus in Idaho.
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Eight New Deaths Reported Saturday, Daily Cases Fall For Third Straight Day
August 1 - 5 p.m.
State health officials posted eight new COVID-19 fatalities Saturday, bringing the statewide death toll to 197 people since March. Two of Saturday's deaths came from hard-hit Ada County, and another death Shoshone County was its second of the pandemic. State data Saturday show five deaths in northern Idaho's Kootenai County, though it was not clear how many of those fatalities were new. The state website, run by the Department of Health and Welfare, has recently been several days behind data posted by the Panhandle Health District. Saturday, the state showed 13 deaths in Kootenai County, and the district website - last updated Friday afternoon - showed ten.
Daily case data provided by the state showed 386 new lab-confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis Saturday; 171 of those were in Ada County. When combined with the 71 new confirmed cases in Canyon County, the two Treasure Valley counties accounted for 63% of the day's new cases in Idaho. Idaho's statewide count since March stands at 19,849 confirmed cases and an additional 1,265 probable cases.
Between July 1 and August 1, the number of COVID-19 cases confirmed by lab testing increased by 14,063, and 105 people died from complications attributed to the disease.
Owyhee County Records Its First Death From The Coronavirus
July 31 - 5:23 p.m.
Another 12 people in Idaho have died after contracting the coronavirus.
Five of those deaths occurred in Ada County, three in Canyon County, and one in Bonneville, Elmore and Twin Falls counties. Owyhee County recorded its first death, as well.
In all, 189 people have died from complications due to COVID-19 in Idaho.
In all, state officials confirmed another 443 cases Friday, bringing the total to 19,463 since March 13.
Ada and Canyon counties continue to record the most cases in the state, with Canyon County hosting a larger concentration of the disease.
Fake Idaho "Mask Exemption" Cards Wrongly Claim Violation Of Disabilities Act
July 31 - 7:45 a.m.
As face mask mandates show up across Idaho, there are reports of people displaying fake cards claiming they are exempt from wearing masks.
The fraudulent cards say forcing these individuals to wear masks is a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA and the Department of Justice say they do not issue or endorse these cards.
Boise School District To Consider An Online Start To The Year
July 31 - 7:15 a.m.
After initially planning to re-open Boise schools for in-person instruction, the district’s board of trustees will now consider a virtual start to the year for students.
The public can send in written comments to Boise school trustees, or sign up to testify virtually. All comments to the board must be received by Monday at noon.
Details on how to provide comment here.
Treefort Music Fest Turns To Investors To Weather The Coronavirus
July 31 - 6:15 a.m.
The coronavirus pandemic has been a gut punch to many businesses including Boise’s homegrown Treefort Music Fest. Beginning Friday, the company is selling shares of itself to make up the difference.
Idaho Adds More Than 500 Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
July 30 - 5:00 p.m.
Idaho reported 517 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases Thursday, for a statewide total of 19,020 cases. Four deaths were added, after a record-setting number of 13 were recorded the day before.
There have now been 177 deaths due to COVID-19 in Idaho. Two of Thursday’s deaths were in Ada County, one was in Kootenai County and one in Twin Falls County.
Ada County saw the most cases in the state Thursday with 157 confirmed cases, followed by Canyon County with 127 cases and Kootenai County with 72 cases.
Fifty-five healthcare workers in Idaho who tested positive for coronavirus were added to the state’s tally; 1,189 healthcare workers have tested positive since the beginning of the pandemic.
Hospitalizations related to COVID-19 increased by 27 on Thursday and ICU admissions increased by 11.
Idaho Records Deadliest Day During Pandemic
July 29 - 5:13 p.m.
Idaho reported 13 more COVID-19 related deaths Wednesday, the state's highest single-day total during the pandemic. That includes the first deaths in Madison and Shoshone counties, in Eastern and North Idaho respectively.
Some of the deaths were added late as the state caught up with local health district counts from a previous day.
The state also reported another 431 confirmed cases and 26 probable as Idaho remains in the worst stretch of cases by far since the first reported cases in March.
Despite the high number of daily cases, most businesses across the state, including bars and restaurants, remain open and masks are only required in a handful of municipalities.
Wednesday's deaths bring the state's total to 173 and come a day after the state reported the youngest person to die from COVID-19 complications. That person was in their 30s.
Central District Health Approves Mask Mandate For Schools In Ada County
July 29 - 7:45 a.m.
When schools in Ada County reopen next month, they’ll have to comply with an expanded mask mandate approved Tuesday night by public health officials.
Central District Health’s board signed off on the order, which requires masks to be worn at all times inside a school building, with few exceptions. A face covering may be taken off when a person is alone in an office with the door shut, or a teacher could take their mask off while instructing students if they are more than 10 feet away.
Idaho Records Youngest COVID-19-Related Death, Reporting Discrepancies Continue
July 28 - 6:01 p.m.
State health officials reported 507 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed by lab tests Tuesday. The statewide total of confirmed cases is now 18,072. There are an additional 1,150 probable cases statewide.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported eight new COVID-19-related fatalities Tuesday, bringing the statewide death toll to 160.
However, combined data from Idaho's seven health districts shows 168 current fatalities. Seven deaths in Kootenai County and one in Elmore County are unaccounted for in the state’s data.
Idaho reported its youngest virus-related death which was in the 30-39 age group. More detailed information on that fatality was not immediately available.
Idaho Reports 6 New COVID-19-Related Fatalities
July 27 - 5:13 p.m.
State officials reported 479 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed by lab tests Monday. This brings the statewide total of confirmed cases to 17,565. There are an additional 1,129 probable cases statewide.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported six new deaths Monday, bringing the statewide total of deaths to 152. However, health districts are reporting 11 new deaths across five counties. That includes three deaths in Ada County, four in Canyon County, two in Kootenai County, one in Twin Falls County and one in Bannock County.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reports two more cases admitted to the ICU, as well as nine more hospitalizations.
July 26 - 6:20 p.m.
State health officials announced 351 new COVID-19 infections confirmed by lab testing Sunday, bringing the state's weekend total to 878.
Almost 72% of the weekend's new confirmed cases were in Ada and Canyon Counties, which continue to be the state's hot spots.
The state reported zero fatalities Sunday; a quiet end to the deadliest seven-day stretch of the pandemic so far. Twenty-Eight people died of the disease last week, and 46 have died since July 1.
State data show 18 new hospitalizations Sunday, and five new cases in intensive care. The state's website tracker showed 20 fewer ICU beds available since Friday, but the statewide total of available intensive care beds and ventilators remains above critical levels.
Since March, 17,086 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed by lab testing. The state shows 5,731 cases - just one-third of the state's total - have recovered.
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:
