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 September 27 - October 3 on closures, openings, cancellations & news regarding the coronavirus in Idaho.
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Idaho Records Highest One-Day COVID-19 Case Count Since August, 553 New Confirmed Infections
October 2 - 5:13 p.m.
State health officials reported 553 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed by lab tests Friday. The statewide total of confirmed cases is now 39,137, with an additional 124 probable cases statewide. This is the highest number of daily cases reported since August 6.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported two new deaths Friday, bringing the statewide total to 474. Caribou County reported its first fatality. The other death was from Kootenai County.
Coronavirus could be on the rise in schools across the state. On Friday, Boise State University reported nearly 100 new cases on campus over the past week. The university now has 349 total cases. On Monday, the University of Idaho announced several sororities and fraternities are under quarantine, following growing cases among greek life. BYU-Idaho sent out a memo last Friday, warning students campus may close if cases continue to rise.
Idaho Adds 398 Confirmed Cases, 3 Deaths On Thursday
Oct. 1 - 5:30 p.m.
Idaho added 398 confirmed coronavirus cases on Thursday for a statewide total of 38,584 cases over the course of the pandemic.
One hundred and seventeen cases were in Ada County, 43 in Twin Falls, 31 in Canyon and 27 in Kootenai County.
Three deaths were recorded on Thursday for a total of 472 in the state due to the virus. One death was recorded in Jefferson County, and Teton and Lewis counties each saw their first death during the pandemic.
Camas, Madison and Lewis counties lead the state for the highest seven-day average case rate, whereas Ada, Twin Falls and Bonneville counties have recorded the highest number of cases in the past week.
Idaho Continues Alarming COVID-19 Trend
September 30 - 5:07 p.m.
Idaho continued its surge of COVID-19 infections Wednesday reporting 487 new lab confirmed cases and 127 new probable cases.
There were also five more COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the state's total to 469 since Idaho reported it's first case in March.
Despite the alarming trend, Gov. Brad Little has rejected calls for a statewide mask mandate and most of the state has few or no restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the virus.
University Of Idaho Quarantines Many Greek Houses After Coronavirus Spike
September 30 - 9:33 a.m.
Several University of Idaho Greek houses are under quarantine after coronavirus hotspots were detected among fraternities and sororities.
U of I President Scott Green released a memo on Monday, saying most of last week’s positive COVID-19 cases came from the school’s live-in Greek houses. Eight of the 26 houses now under quarantine.
Why One Idaho County Is Opting For Stricter Metrics To Determine Its COVID-19 Risk Level
September 30 - 7:44 a.m.
Red, orange, yellow, green. These colors, referenced over and over again in public meetings, translate to COVID-19 risk levels set by Idaho's public health district boards. Blaine County, in south central Idaho, is ditching its health district’s colors for stricter ones set by researchers at the Harvard Global Health Institute.
Over the course of the pandemic, Blaine County has stood out. It had Idaho’s first surge in coronavirus cases and it's implemented some of the strictest coronavirus mitigation efforts in the state.
Callers Demand Statewide Mask Mandate In Idaho From Gov. Brad Little
September 30 - 7:30 a.m.
Coronavirus cases have begun spiking statewide in Idaho again after the Labor Day holiday and people continuing to hold get-togethers with family and friends, according to public health officials.
During Tuesday’s town hall hosted by AARP Idaho, several callers confronted Gov. Brad Little. They were frustrated that not much was being done, in their minds, to cut the spread of COVID-19.
Coronavirus Cases, Deaths On The Rise In Idaho Tuesday
September 29 - 5:30 p.m.
Idaho’s added another 427 confirmed coronavirus cases Tuesday, along with four more deaths.
That brings the state’s total to 37,699 and 464 deaths since mid-March.
Bannock, Cassia, Gem and Payette counties each recorded one new death Tuesday. Eastern and Southern Idaho saw the highest per-capita case growth in the state.
South Central Public Health District reported its case counts have doubled over the last month, with “significant increases” in six of its eight counties.
“Most of the spread we are seeing starts when one person is infected at work or at a social event and then unintentionally brings the disease home to their family,” Tanis Maxwell, an epidemiologist with the district, said in a statement.
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen said Tuesday that the spike in cases is due to Labor Day celebrations and people attending social gatherings without wearing a mask or properly physically distancing themselves from others.
BYU-Idaho Warns Of Possible Campus Closure Due To COVID-19 Infections
September 29 - 7:00 a.m.
BYU-Idaho sent a campus-wide email on Friday, urging students to follow coronavirus guidelines and mask requirements. The school also warned it could close down campus if infections don’t drop. As of Sunday, 56 students and 11 employees were infected.
Idaho Confirms 373 New Coronavirus Cases Monday
September 28 - 5:14 p.m.
Idaho state officials reported 373 new lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 Monday, bringing the statewide total to 37,272. An additional 49 cases were listed as probable.
Ada County logged the highest daily count of confirmed cases at 75, while Latah County added 61 and Canyon County added 43.
Idaho’s death toll still stands at 460, as no new deaths were reported Monday.
Although daily confirmed case counts have been on the rise again, the number of hospitalizations and ICU admissions has remained steady, according to the latest data from the state reported Sept. 26.
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:
