New: 468 people in Idaho have been tested for coronavirus. 9 people have the virus
As the number of coronavirus cases in Idaho steadily grows, Idaho government officials are working on plans to combat the spread.
The state’s website reported Wednesday morning that there were nine people who are positive for coronavirus in Idaho, after at least 468 people were tested.
That testing number has grown overnight. On Tuesday, the number of confirmed Idaho cases was at nine people in four counties after only 350 people were tested.
No fatalities have been reported in Idaho as a result of COVID-19, the disease that is caused by coronavirus.
The state is discouraging people from attending events of more than 50 people and President Donald Trump discourages gatherings of more than 10 people.
While more than 125,000 Idaho students have been dismissed from school and many people work from home and self-isolate, the effort to stop the spread continues.
Gov. Brad Little will hold a press conference at 10 a.m. with new information about how he plans to combat the global pandemic that’s moved into Idaho. The conference will be streamed on the governor’s Facebook page.
The Idaho Statesman will update readers with more information on that today.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The World Health Organization has officially declared the spread the novel coronavirus as a pandemic, and the virus is spreading in the United States, particularly on the West Coast.
Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease including social distancing.
Click the drop-down icon in the upper right of this card for more information on symptoms and how to stop its spread.
What is coronavirus?
Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children. But, this outbreak is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a novel virus that has spawned a new disease called COVID-19. This infection can cause a particularly harsh respiratory condition and can lead to death in older individuals and those with underlying health problems.
The CDC believes the COVID-19 virus spreads among humans by person-to-person contact, including via cough and sneezing. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people. Social distancing of 6ft is recommended for everyone.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Corona means crown, and the virus has little spikes that help it attach to your respiratory system. Symptoms are similar to the flu and include congestion, coughing, shortness of breath and a runny nose. But, it can worsen causing pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome and death.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
How does it spread?
We’re still learning about this infection. Things are changing constantly. The spread seems to be from bigger droplets, coughing, sneezing on your hands and then touching your eyes, your nose or mouth. The influenza virus can last on surfaces for 24 hours. For this virus, we are still learning how long it can last but it may be as long as 48 to 72 hours.
And what you can do to help stop the spread:
Practice social distancing, and definitely stay home if you’re ill. Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your coughs and sneezes.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
Taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus. For more on how it spreads, watch this video.
Note: No public health agency has recommended that the general public wear masks to stave off infection. Here are more public health recommendations:
- Practice social distancing
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you really can’t get to soap and water, then use a hand sanitizer that has at least 60 percent alcohol.
- Can’t wash your hands right away? Avoid touching your mouth, nose and eyes as these are areas where the pathogens can invade your body.
- Practice cough hygiene with covering your mouth when you cough or sneeze, either using a disposable tissue or into your clothed elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash right away.
- If you are sick, stay at home. If you develop respiratory symptoms contact your doctor for advise and to determine if you need to go for care or viral testing. Call ahead before seeing medical care at a doctor’s office, clinic or emergency department, as they’ll need to separate you to help protect others.
- ChrisAnna Mink, Modesto Bee, and McClatchy staff
Health care providers have taken precautions, such as St. Luke’s, which is offering drive-up coronavirus testing or Saint Alphonsus, which has been forced to do precautionary monitoring before allowing people into the medical facilities..
Local, state and federal governments have declared emergencies to free up funding to help combat and test for the virus. On Tuesday, the Boise City Council approved an ordinance that specifies exactly what power the mayor has in a public health emergency.
Previously confirmed cases in Idaho
Case No. 9: Blaine County
The Blaine County case involves a female patient over the age of 80 in Blaine County. She is recovering well in a local hospital under isolation. Her point of transmission is under investigation.
Case No. 8: Madison County
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.
Case No. 7: Blaine County
The patient announced March 17 is a female over the age of 50 in Blaine County, which is where Hailey and Ketchum are located.
Case No. 6: Ada County
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.
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 18, 2020 at 9:09 AM.
