Youngest Idaho coronavirus patient, another Blaine case bring statewide count to 9
Idaho public health officials announced Tuesday four more confirmed cases of coronavirus infection — one in Ada County, one in Madison and two in Blaine.
That brings the statewide count to nine people who’ve tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reports that 353 people have been tested statewide.
The Madison case involves a BYU-Idaho male student in his 20s. He is the youngest person and second college student to test positive for COVID-19 in the state.
Eastern Idaho Public Health officials said the patient became symptomatic March 8 while traveling out of state.
He returned to Rexburg on March 11 and stayed home until seeking medical care March 12, when he was tested for COVID-19. After the test, he was asked to stay at home. He continues to stay in isolation and is being monitored by Eastern Idaho Public Health.
“Unless you are contacted by Eastern Idaho Public Health, you are not at increased risk for exposure to this individual and do not need to seek testing,” said Geri Rackow, director of Eastern Idaho Public Health.
It is believed he traveled in his own vehicle and an investigation is ongoing to identify others who may be at risk.
BYU-Idaho suspended classes last week and gave students the opportunity to move home. Classes will resume online March 18.
Also Tuesday, a third case of coronavirus was reported in Ada County, according to Central District Health. The Ada County woman is younger than 50.
“She is recovering well in her home under isolation and reported only having mild symptoms that did not require hospitalization. The patient indicated possible travel-related acquisition and has no known association to previous cases,” according to a press release from Central District Health.
South Central Public Health, based out of Twin Falls, reported two new cases in Blaine County for a total of four there.
One involves a woman over the age of 50, according to a press release.
“She is recovering well in her home under isolation and was not hospitalized,” the release said. “This individual self-isolated as soon as she began showing symptoms. So far, investigation has not linked this case with the first two cases reported previously in Blaine County. Point of transmission is still under investigation.”
The ninth Idaho patient, and fourth in Blaine County, is a female over the age of 80. She is recovering well in a local hospital under isolation, according to South Central District Health. It is still under investigation how she came into contact with the virus.
The Tuesday notifications marked an increase overnight. As of Monday, Idaho had tested 270 people for novel coronavirus.
Of the prior five cases of coronavirus in Idaho, two were in Ada County, two were in Blaine County and one was in Teton County.
No fatalities have been reported in Idaho.
The news comes as multiple schools and businesses shut down in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. State officials still stress that people remain isolated. The state, multiple counties and cities have declared states of emergency, freeing up funding for virus testing and urging isolation during the global pandemic.
The state and federal government are encouraging social distancing and urging residents to be hygienic, trying to stop the disease from further spreading.
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean declared a state of emergency Monday in response to the novel coronavirus, closing all city buildings to the public, except for the airport.
Here’s what we know about the previous Idaho cases:
Case No. 5: Blaine County
South Central Public Health reported a female patient over the age of 70 on March 14. She is hospitalized and recovering, according to a press release from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The “point of transmission” is under investigation, the release said.
South Central Public Health named the county where the case was located March 16.
Case No. 4: Teton County
A woman under the age of 60 who lives in Teton County tested positive March 14. She had close contact with a confirmed case in a neighboring state, according to Eastern Idaho Public Health. She has experienced mild symptoms that don’t require hospitalization. Idaho officials declined to identify the neighboring state.
The woman self-isolated after reporting the possibility of coronavirus March 12.
Case No. 3: Ada County
The Central District Health department said the case of COVID-19 is in a male patient from Ada County in his 50s with no identified underlying medical issues. The man likely got the virus out of state, the department said March 14.
Case No. 2: Blaine County
Officials with the South Central Public Health District in Twin Falls confirmed March 14 the second case of the novel coronavirus in Idaho.
After the announcement, Blaine County School District Board Chairman Keith Roark and Superintendent GwenCarol Holmes said in a press release that all schools and facilities are closed to the public, beginning March 16. The closures will last through April 5.
The case involves a woman from Blaine County over the age of 50, who is recovering from mild symptoms that did not require hospitalization, according to Melody Bowyer, director of the health district.
It is still unknown where the patient contracted the virus. Although she recently traveled to a neighboring state, the state did not have confirmed cases while she was there. Officials said they would not identify which state she traveled to.
The Idaho Mountain Express reported that the woman is a Blaine County School District parent.
Case No. 1: Ada County
The woman who was the first person in Idaho with a confirmed case of the novel coronavirus is a student at Idaho State University’s Meridian campus, the university announced. The campus is just outside Boise.
The state announced the case March 13. The woman was described as an Ada County resident in her 50s.
The woman had returned from a conference in New York City, said Elke Shaw-Tulloch, administrator of public health for the Department of Health and Welfare. Three other attendees at that conference have tested positive for the coronavirus.
More on COVID-19
The symptoms of COVID-19 can include fever, cough, fatigue, shortness of breath, sore throat, joint and bone pain, headache and chills.
The coronavirus is believed to have a higher mortality rate than seasonal flu, especially among the elderly and people with other health conditions or compromised immune systems.
Anyone who believes they may have coronavirus should contact their medical provider. If they don’t have a primary care provider, residents can call 2-1-1 or call a local health care clinic for advice.
This story was originally published March 17, 2020 at 10:04 AM.
