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 October 3-10 on closures, openings, cancellations & news regarding the coronavirus in Idaho.
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More Than 500 New Confirmed, 100 New Probable Cases For Fourth Straight Day
October 10 - 5 p.m.
State health officials confirmed 510 new COVID-19 cases Saturday, with an additional 103 new probable cases. More than 100 cases may have been held over from Friday, as the number of new cases October 9 reported by the state was 115 fewer than combined reports from individual health districts. Ada County reported 132 new confirmed cases, and more than half the probable cases. Madison County, home to a growing outbreak centered around the BYU-Idaho campus in Rexburg, showed an increase of 93 cases Saturday. Per capita, Madison County has the most new cases in Idaho and is one of the hottest spots of viral spread in the country.
One additional fatality was reported Saturday, a resident of Washington County, bringing the death toll to 507 people.
Idaho Records 520 New Confirmed COVID-19 Cases
October 9 - 5:25 p.m.
State health officials reported 520 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed by lab tests Friday. The statewide total of confirmed cases is now 42,260 . There are an additional 142 probable cases statewide.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported three new deaths Friday, bringing the statewide total to 506.
Central District Health said Friday that if cases continue to rise, Ada County schools could be moved into the highest category of community spread on Tuesday. But, CDH said even the county falls into the highest level of community spread, children could remain in school.
Idaho's Daily Coronavirus Cases Stay In the 500s
October 8 — 5:30 p.m.
Idaho added 520 lab-confirmed coronavirus cases on Thursday, for a statewide total of 41,740 cases. Three additional deaths were recorded as well, bringing the total number of fatalities to 503.
The three deaths were in Bonneville, Cassia and Kootenai counties.
Twin Falls had the highest confirmed case count on Thursday with 87 cases added, follow by Ada County with 85 cases and Bannock County with 39.
Idaho Coronavirus Deaths Top 500 As Cases Surge
October 7 - 5:20 p.m.
For the third time in the past week, the number of Idaho’s confirmed coronavirus cases has topped 500.
On Wednesday, state health officials reported 535 new cases, along with eight new deaths.
Since mid-March, 500 Idahoans have died from complications related to COVID-19 and has recorded 41,220 confirmed cases.
Three people died in Kootenai County, two each in Bannock and Bonneville counties and one in Lewis County.
The latest hospitalization data from Oct. 5 shows 191 people were admitted statewide — the highest number since August 20. ICU admissions remain stable, but elevated at 41 cases.
Doctors Combat Misinformation About Flu Vaccines Amid Coronavirus Pandemic
October 7 - 8:15 a.m.
Misinformation about the flu vaccine is spreading as public health officials are organizing to protect bed space at hospitals this winter amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Doctors have been telling people for months to get a flu shot. They’re typically between 40-60% effective at preventing the flu with few side effects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and lessen the severity of the illness if a person still gets it.
Idaho Has Biggest Jump in COVID-19 Cases In Two Months
October 6 - 5:07 p.m.
Idaho saw it's largest daily total of confirmed COVID-19 infections since Aug. 6 on Tuesday, reporting 554 new lab confirmed cases. And there were another 106 probable cases, bringing the one-day total to 660.
The state reported five additional deaths, bringing the total since March to 492.
It continues an alarming rise in cases over the past three weeks. Despite that, most of Idaho has few or no pandemic-related restrictions and Gov. Brad Little has resisted calls for a statewide mask mandate or other cumpulsory measures.
Experts worry that with fall bringing colder weather, people will spend more time inside further increasing the risk of transmission.
Pandemic Pivot: Nampa Church Welcomes Students For Tutoring
October 6 - 12:30 p.m.
While some may cringe at the mere suggestion of finding a silver lining in the pandemic, for others, this time has sparked a new sense of what’s possible; finding new ways to get things done — for ourselves, for our neighbors and for our communities.
At Nampa’s Grace Episcopal Church, services are still all digital. The Parrish Hall — normally booked solid with weddings, quinceaneras and church events — was quiet and empty. Reverend Karen Hunter saw an opportunity.
Uptick In Coronavirus Cases Moves Boise, Valley County Schools From Green To Yellow
October 6 - 7:15 a.m.
Public health officials are now recommending new restrictions for five school districts in southern and central Idaho where coronavirus cases are on the rise.
Central District Health released its weekly guidance to school districts Monday, elevating those in Boise and Valley counties from the green to yellow categories.
Central District Health Rejects State Funds To Test Teachers And Staff For COVID-19
October 6 - 7:00 a.m.
Last week, Idaho’s public health districts received funds to put toward testing school teachers and staff for COVID-19, which were earmarked by Gov. Little in July. But one health district is rejecting the state’s money.
Idaho Reports Over 400 Coronavirus Cases Monday
October 5 - 5:12 p.m.
Following a slight dip in daily cases over the weekend, state officials reported 409 new lab-confirmed cases Monday. This brings Idaho’s total to 40,131. An additional 49 cases were listed as probable.
Ada County logged the highest daily count of confirmed cases at 70, while Madison County added 63 and Canyon County added 45.
Five additional COVID-19 deaths were reported Monday, bringing the state death count to 487. Kootenai, Ada, Cassia and Bannock counties all reported a death, and Franklin County reported its first.
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 Oct. 3.
Idaho Schools Wait On Rapid Tests And Promised Funding For COVID-19 Testing
October 5 - 7:07 a.m.
Governor Brad Little said during a press conference last week that rapid tests, which produce results in 15 minutes, will soon be available for testing Idaho’s school teachers and staff. But more than a month into the school year, districts have been waiting for testing options promised by the state.
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:
