Coronavirus update: Blaine passes 200 cases, community spread in Bingham, Gem counties
More cases of coronavirus are being reported across Idaho, and two other areas of the state reported Wednesday that they have evidence of community spread.
Southeastern Idaho Public Health announced that a positive case in Bingham County is likely the result of community spread. As of Wednesday, the county has two reported cases.
The health department believes the community spread occurred in the most recent case, as it says a woman in her 40s contracted the virus after she did not travel or come into contact with another confirmed case, according to a press release from the department.
On Wednesday afternoon the Southwest Health District confirmed at least one case of community spread in Gem County, as well as two new cases in the county, for a total of five.
“This is concerning and heightens the need for continued social distancing and staying home when sick,” said Southwest District Health’s Nikole Zogg in a press release.
Seven Idaho counties have now reported cases of community spread: Ada, Bingham, Blaine, Canyon, Gem, Kootenai and Madison.
Latah County reported its first case of coronavirus on Wednesday, according to Idaho North Central District Health. The person is in their 60s, is not hospitalized and is recovering at home. Their case is believed to be travel-related.
The number of cases in Blaine County continues to grow, as the South Central Public Health District reported the figure Wednesday morning to be 228. One new case was reported in both Lincoln and Twin Falls counties, bringing their totals to seven and three, respectively.
The Idaho North Central District reported Wednesday morning that a second positive case in Idaho County was discovered. With the diagnosis, the number of cases in the district rose to 11. The health district said in a press release that the person diagnosed is in their 40s and is recovering at home. The case appears to be travel-related.
The jump in cases brings the state’s total number of confirmed cases to 564, a figure that will grow Wednesday evening once more health districts report.
As of Tuesday evening, there were 524 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Idaho, an increase of 91 from the previous day. On Monday, the state saw its largest rise in cases in a day, adding 112 new positive tests.
Cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in 27 of Idaho’s 44 counties: Ada, Adams, Bannock, Bingham, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Camas, Canyon, Cassia, Custer, Elmore, Fremont, Gem, Idaho, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Nez Perce, Owyhee, Payette, Teton, Twin Falls and Valley.
Health officials have reported nine deaths in the state connected to COVID-19 from Ada, Canyon, Blaine, Cassia and Nez Perce counties.
Dutch Bros. announces 2 more cases
Dutch Bros. Coffee, which closed a Meridian location last week after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, announced on Facebook that employees had tested positive at two more stores: one on Chinden Boulevard and one on Broadway.
The coffee-shop chain said it received word of the Chinden case on Monday and the Broadway test on Tuesday, and immediately started the process of closing the shops for “a third-party deep clean.”
At least 10 food/beverage businesses in Central District Health’s jurisdiction, which includes Ada County, have had employees test positive for COVID-19.
St. Luke’s debuts online virus screening tool
St. Luke’s Health System has made online screening for coronavirus available without leaving your home.
The hospital system rolled out a self-triage tool Wednesday to see whether you should get tested for the coronavirus. After logging in using myChart, potential patients will answer a few simple questions online to see if they should stay home or go see a doctor.
While the tool is no substitute for a physician, St. Luke’s hopes the questionnaire will reduce the strain on urgent care clinics and reduce people’s potential exposure to the virus while they are out and about.
To access the online screening tool, go to myChart.
Costco sets customer limits
Beginning Friday, only two members of a family will be able to go into Costco at the same time.
“This temporary change is for your safety and the safety of our employees and other members, and to further assist with our social distancing efforts,” the Issaquah, Washington, company announced on its website.
Costco and other grocery stores that have remained open during the coronavirus pandemic have come under increasing criticism for allowing whole families to come into their stores and potentially increase the risk of exposure.
Earlier, Costco instituted shorter hours. Its warehouses, including stores in Boise, Nampa and Twin Falls, are closing at 6:30 p.m., two hours earlier than normal, Monday through Friday. They close at 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
This story was originally published April 1, 2020 at 11:02 AM.
