Ada, Bannock, Blaine, Canyon, Cassia counties confirm new coronavirus cases
Idaho’s tally of people with coronavirus grew again Monday as Cassia County reported its first case, Bannock County reported its first two cases, Ada and Canyon counties both saw increases, and Blaine County’s count grew by 15 reported cases.
That lifted the statewide count of confirmed cases to at least 77.
Ada County’s caseload grew from 13 to 20 on Monday, and Canyon County confirmed two more cases.
The Cassia County case is a woman older than 70, and she has been hospitalized, according to the South Central Public Health District. An investigation shows she likely was exposed to the virus by travelers from areas with community spread. The travelers visited the individual’s home.
Cassia County is in the Magic Valley, east of Twin Falls.
In Bannock County, home to Pocatello and Idaho State University, health officials confirmed its first two cases. Both are men in their 30s with a history of travel, and they are both recovering at home.
Blaine County now has 36 reported cases of coronavirus, according to South Central Public Health District’s website. That’s grown significantly since Sunday, when the health district was reporting 21 cases in the county that’s home to Ketchum, Sun Valley and Hailey.
The state’s website updates the number of cases of novel coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 disease, every day at 5 p.m. Some public health districts update their own numbers at different times.
As of Sunday evening, there had been no Idaho fatalities as a result of COVID-19, and there were 50 confirmed cases. More than 1,350 people had been tested.
Idaho Youth Ranch expands video therapy options
Idaho Youth Ranch is adding video therapy options for new and existing clients “to better meet the growing mental health needs of Idaho youth and families,” starting Monday.
CEO Scott Curtis said in a news release that new video options will allow staff to help kids and their families “no matter how far they are from our counseling centers in north Idaho and the Treasure Valley.”
Telepsychiatry, as therapy conducted remotely over video is called, is equally accurate, effective and confidential as in-person services, according to the American Psychiatric Association.
The nonprofit will continue to offer in-person therapy at its outpatient centers and is also offering assistance via telephone for those without access to the internet or video-capable devices.
Valley Regional Transit won’t collect fares
Valley Regional Transit says bus operators won’t collect fares for the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak. Passengers will be asked to enter and exit the bus using rear doors and to sit as far away from each other as possible.
The agency has seen ridership drop 25% on average since the beginning of March, according to a news release, and “there will come a time when the agency will have to make choices about which routes to continue operating and which ones to suspend.” The agency will prioritize the routes serving the most people, but it will try “to maintain regular service as long as it is practicable.”
Valley Regional Transit also is postponing planned service improvements that were scheduled to be put into effect March 30. A new date will be set for the improvements “after the COVID-19 crisis has passed,” the agency said in a release.
All Valley Regional Transit buses and facilities are being routinely cleaned and disinfected, the agency said.
Owyhee County asks people not to visit
The Owyhee County Board of Commissioners issued a press release Monday, saying they have received an unusual number of people visiting the county to recreate. The county had an increase in reports of people trespassing on private land over the weekend.
“Our commissioners personally observed the increased traffic by out-of-county vehicles and received numerous reports from county residents,” according to the press release. “This is not what the governor and president had in mind when they encouraged Americans and Idahoans to reduce their activity to essential travel so as to blunt the curve of the coronavirus.”
The county asked people to stay home, rather than recreate in Owyhee County. As of Monday morning, no cases of COVID-19 had been reported in Owyhee County.
“Please do the right thing and stay home,” the commission said in the written statement. “Don’t endanger our citizens, our law enforcement, search and rescue, and emergency medical personnel by your selfish action.”
Payette County closes courthouse
Payette County announced Monday that it will close its courthouse to the public, except for necessary criminal proceedings.
The announcement comes shortly after Ada County made a similar announcement last week. Payette County’s courthouse in Payette closes Tuesday and it will remain closed through April 3.
“The Board of County Commissioners have made this decision in abundance of caution in response to the outbreak of COVID-19,” the county said in a news release. “The commissioners are concerned with the health and well-being of the public and our staff. The Board of County Commissioners will re-evaluate the closure of the courthouse and may modify, extend, or terminate the closure of the Payette County courthouse.”
Payette County residents may still contact county officials over the phone, fax, email or U.S. mail, or paperwork may be dropped in the dropbox at the courthouse. For a list of contact information for various offices, including the assessor, treasurer, planning and zoning, and others visit payettecounty.org or call the Payette County clerk at 208-642-6000.
The Payette County Sheriff’s Office also canceled in-person inmate visitation to the county jail.
As of Monday, no cases of COVID-19 had been reported in Payette County.
Stopping the spread
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following to avoid spreading COVID-19:
▪ Practice social distancing: avoid crowds, maintain at least 6 feet from others when possible.
▪ Decrease time in group settings when possible.
▪ Limit unnecessary travel.
▪ Consider postponing or canceling out-of-town vacations and travel out of state.
▪ Use drive-through and delivery services for everyday errands where possible.
▪ Persons at increased risk of severe illness should consider sheltering in place. (Leave your home for “essential activities,” to work for an “essential business,” or for “essential travel.” Do not host or attend any gatherings.)
This story was originally published March 23, 2020 at 10:30 AM.
