Idaho’s Ada, Blaine counties add coronavirus cases; Boise Towne Square closes
Tuesday night update: Central District Health reports community transmission in Ada County. Read that story here.
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Blaine and Ada counties added to their Idaho-leading totals of confirmed coronavirus cases Tuesday as the state total reached 90.
Blaine added four cases for a total of 40, according to the South Central Public Health District. Ada also added four for a total of 24, according to Central District Health.
Payette County reported its first case. A woman in her 20s recovered at home from mild symptoms, according to Southwest District Health.
Combined with earlier announcements, the state added 13 cases to Monday’s total.
Jefferson County in East Idaho announced that it has its first two cases of confirmed coronavirus, and Kootenai in North Idaho has another two cases for a total of eight.
The 90 cases are spread across 13 of 44 counties in Idaho, according to public health officials.
The Jefferson County announcement came from Eastern Idaho Public Health, and it involves a man and woman, both over age 65. Neither was hospitalized, and both are self-isolating at home. Both cases were connected to travel outside the country.
Kootenai County’s two new cases involve a woman in her 20s and a man in his 60s, according to the Panhandle Health District. Both are self-isolating at home, and where they contracted the virus is still under investigation.
Only one county, Blaine County, has a shelter-in-place order, but health officials are still urging people to practice social distancing during the global pandemic.
Cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, have been confirmed in Ada, Canyon, Bannock, Bingham, Blaine, Cassia, Madison, Jefferson, Teton, Kootenai, Payette, Twin Falls and Valley counties. The Valley County case was a part-time resident of that county who was tested in Ada.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhy our case numbers might differ from the state's
The Idaho Statesman is tabulating confirmed coronavirus cases from Idaho’s seven health districts as they’re reported. The health districts report cases on their own schedules — some issue press releases, some simply update totals on their websites. And the reports happen at various times throughout the day.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, meanwhile, updates its statewide numbers once a day at about 5 p.m. Its numbers only include the cases the health districts have reported directly to the department. In some cases, health districts have reported cases publicly but not to the department by the daily deadline.
We break out each day’s new cases by county and provide details on each case when available here.
Boise Towne Square closes
The Boise Towne Square mall has closed, though the Dillard’s department store remained open Tuesday.
“Thank you for your understanding and support,” the mall’s website said Tuesday. “Our heartfelt wishes for your health and safety. We look forward to welcoming you back in the near future.”
The mall’s site said businesses with with outside entrances may remain open. Of the four anchor stores with exterior entrances — Kohl’s, Macy’s, Dillard’s and J.C. Penney — all but Dillard’s are closed. Kohl’s plans to stay closed until at least April 1. Macy’s says it plans to stay closed through March 31, and Penney’s through April 1.
The Village at Meridian is still open, though some of its stores are closed. The shopping center has curbed its hours to 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, until April 3.
Marriage licenses
Due to multiple county courthouse closures, residents who plan to get married this spring are encouraged to pick up marriage licenses soon.
Ada County residents who intend to get married before May 31 are asked to get a marriage license from the Ada County Clerk’s Office by 4:30 p.m. March 27, according to a news release.
“Though our goal is to continue to offer licenses and other services, there is a potential that marriage licenses may be unavailable for an indefinite period,” according to the Ada County clerk’s office.
In Ada County, couples must bring a marriage license application. The application is available on the Ada County Clerk’s website at adacounty.id.gov/clerk/license-permits/.
On Friday, Canyon County announced it would only issue marriage licenses to local residents.
“The recorder’s office will only issue marriage licenses to Canyon County residents,” spokesman Joe Decker said. “Marriage licenses will not be issued to out-of-county residents until further notice.”
Canyon County said it is a temporary measure to help stop the spread of COVID-19, and to “ensure the office can better provide its state-mandated services to Canyon County taxpayers.”
Neither of the counties have said how long the restrictions will be in place.
Parade America canceled
Nampa’s Parade America, scheduled for May, is canceled, according to organizers. The annual parade celebrates the country’s veterans and their service.
The Nampa Exchange Club, the organization that puts on the parade, said it was forced to cancel the parade because of a lack of organizers and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Nampa Exchange Club feels that an overabundance of caution is appropriate — and that taking this type of action at this time to help preserve the health and welfare of Nampa’s citizens is a valid and patriotic reason to suspend Parade America for the year 2020,” according to a statement issued by the club.
Boise updates social distancing order
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean issued an amended order on who must follow social distancing guidelines originally issued Monday.
The updated order requires the closure of indoor fitness and recreation facilities for the duration of the order. It also goes into depth on what stores and services are considered essential and allowed to remain open.
Updated information can be found here.
E-Scooters
Those looking for a quick way to get around Boise will see that their options for electronic scooters have been reduced.
Lime, one of three scooter companies in Boise, announced over the weekend that it is rolling back services around the globe “to reflect public health guidance,” according to its website.
Upon opening the app Spin, another scooter service, a message appears saying Spin is temporarily pausing operations.
The app for the third scooter service, Bird, was still accessible Tuesday, but available scooters were hard to find. In a message published by the company on March 12, Bird said it would be increasing the frequency of cleaning and sanitizing scooters.
Idaho Legal Aid is open
Idaho Legal Aid Services sent out an announcement on Tuesday stating that it is open and still will provide legal services through the coronavirus pandemic. The nonprofit is the state’s largest provider of free legal services in civil cases for low-income residents.
Executive Director Jim Cook said through the news release that legal aid anticipates an increase in people wanting help to respond to COVID-19-related legal problems such as housing, health access, public entitlements, and domestic violence.
“While most staff are working from home, Idaho Legal Aid Services continues to take new cases and serve new clients,” according to the news release. “Program attorneys continue to represent clients in protection order, eviction, and some other cases still being heard by Idaho courts.”
Attorneys will also help clients through free senior, housing and domestic violence legal advice lines.
For help, Legal Aid asks people to call 208-746-7541 to apply for services or visit their website at idaholegalaid.org/.
Caldwell expands mayor’s powers
On Tuesday afternoon during an emergency meeting, the Caldwell City Council approved a measure that gives the city’s mayor — Garret Nancolas — a greater ability to enforce mandates from the state and local health departments as they arise. The measure will be in effect through 9 p.m. April 20.
Chelsea Wilson, communications specialist for Caldwell, said the measure was to prepare the city in case quick measures would need to be taken.
In a press release issued following the City Council’s approval, the city indicated that there is no shelter-in-place order being issued, but those who are able to are encouraged to work from home. Everyone, including businesses, is encouraged to practice social distancing recommendations by the CDC.
According to the press release, Nancolas said: “I will work very closely with other (governments and health districts) to make sure that whatever we do is well thought out and in the best interests of our community. … I don’t think that cities should be ahead or behind the public health departments.”
Meridian playgrounds closed
The city of Meridian is closing its playgrounds and outdoor exercise equipment until further notice, according to a press release. Other areas of parks remain open.
Passive activities can continue as normal “with the proper precautions,” according to the release. People are still welcome to walk, fish, bike and relax.
“Residents must take social distancing guidelines to heart — it could save someone’s life,” Parks and Recreation Director Steve Siddoway said in the release. “If we all do our part, we will get through this together.”
Business Editor David Staats contributed.
This story was originally published March 24, 2020 at 8:14 AM.
