What ‘shelter in place’ means for residents of Idaho county where coronavirus surges
Blaine County has recorded 17 positive tests for coronavirus, state officials announced Thursday.
The increase from five previously announced positives is at least partially the result of the state’s first “community spread” of the virus, meaning someone contracted the virus without traveling out of state or coming into contact with someone known to be infected.
Of the 17 positive tests in Blaine County, at least two are health care providers, Gov. Brad Little said. State and local health authorities have reported at least 24 coronavirus cases, including four in Ada County. One of those positives won’t be counted in the official numbers for Blaine County and the state because the patient is a nonresident who has left Idaho.
Earlier Thursday, the state announced that at least the most recent previous Blaine County case was considered community spread.
The South Central Public Health District shared in a news release information on the 12 new Blaine County confirmed cases:
- Six individuals are male: one in his 30s, four in their 40s, and one in his 50s.
- Six are female: one under 20 years old, two in their 30s, two in their 50s, and one in her 70s.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare will issue a mandatory isolation order for residents of Blaine County, Little said.
“We are still working on the details, and the residents will still have access to essential services such as access to grocery stores, and of course, health care,” Little said. “It would be similar to the guidance I gave prior to community spread. Except now it is mandatory.”
Little explained that any people showing any symptoms need to isolate themselves.
Blaine County and the cities of Bellevue, Carey, Hailey, Ketchum and Sun Valley released a joint statement Thursday on the coming “shelter in place” order.
“Shelter in place means all individuals must stay at home unless they need to perform essential activities or go to work to provide essential business and government services,” the statement read. “Many activities may continue, but people should return home promptly when these are completed. For example, individuals will be able to go to grocery stores and gas stations, pick up food to go at restaurants, or recreate outside provided they follow social distancing and other recommended self-care health practices. Business activities also may continue, but should be conducted from home as much as possible. As before, this is not a time to hoard supplies from local stores or online suppliers.”
‘We have doctors who are contaminated now’
Meanwhile, as Idaho senators made farewell speeches and honored retiring senators on the Senate floor Thursday afternoon, Sen. Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, stood up and tearfully announced something personal.
“In my community, we have doctors who are contaminated now,” she said. “This is about self-quarantining and being safe around your families. Please take this seriously.”
Stennett provided some perspective on the coming restrictions in her county, adding that officials are following U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regulations.
“This is not going to restrict mobilities,” she said. “Roads aren’t going to be closed, and people are going to be able to get essential services, and hospitals will still be open. They probably won’t shut down the airport, because we’re going to need to bring essential supplies in and make sure that people have mobility.”
The South Central Public Health District, which includes Blaine County, urged residents to stay home.
“It no longer matters where it started — this virus is now in our community. It is important that we take precautions to slow the spread and protect the most vulnerable among us,” said Logan Hudson, SCPHD public health division administrator, in a news release. “We urge residents to follow public health recommendations to stay home as much as possible to help protect themselves and their communities.”
This story was originally published March 19, 2020 at 5:44 PM.