Coronavirus update: Blaine County cases rise, Gov. Little eases telehealth regulations
The number of Idaho’s coronavirus infection cases climbed Thursday as residents remained under a stay-home order aimed at slowing the spread of the virus.
Blaine County, home to Ketchum and Sun Valley, still has the state’s largest number of confirmed cases, at 351. Ada County, the most populous in Idaho, reported 289 confirmed cases as of Thursday night.
As of Thursday night, the statewide count was 870, with nine deaths reported. Twelve counties, including Ada, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Jefferson, Kootenai, Madison, Teton and Twin Falls counties, have reported community spread.
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.
Student at U of I tests positive
The University of Idaho in Moscow reported Wednesday that an 18-year-old student tested positive for coronavirus. The student was in one of the residence halls on Sunday.
The student tested positive when he returned home to Canyon County, according to the university.
“The student is experiencing mild symptoms and is recovering at home,” U of I wrote on its website. “University staff is contacting those who may have been exposed on campus and preparing to isolate affected students.”
University staff members working in the area have also been notified.
How you can help
St. Luke’s Health System has set up a website outlining how the community may offer support to health care workers.
At the COVID-19 St. Luke’s website, people can find information on ways to make donations of needed equipment and charitable financial donations to support patients, employees and the hospitals. Supporters may also sign up for opportunities to volunteer.
The website will be updated with lists of needed supplies, including protective equipment and hygiene items. Any donations made go directly to patient assistance and caregivers working on the front lines of the pandemic, according to a St. Luke’s news release.
The St. Luke’s coronavirus hotline is 208-381-9500.
Pullman Regional Hospital implements pay cuts amid pandemic
The Pullman Regional Hospital announced Wednesday that it was implementing a 25 percent pay cut to all hourly and salaried hospital staff amid the pandemic. Pullman, in Washington state, is just across the state line from Moscow, Idaho.
“State-mandated regulations, like stopping elective surgeries and limiting outpatient procedures, have caused decreases in volumes or some services to be shut down completely,” the hospital announced Thursday in a news release.
The hospital said it “remains committed to no layoffs,” but the 25 percent reduction in pay for all employees would be in place for the next 60 days, in an effort to make $1 million in cash available for operations.
The pay reductions to hospital staff will start in the employees’ April 11 pay period.
The hospital did not outline details, but said other measures being taken include unpaid furloughs, capping organizational overtime, limiting paid time off and not providing cash reimbursement for paid leave time not taken by employees.
As of March 31, the Washington State Department of Health was reporting 5,984 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 247 deaths.
Governor eases regulations on telehealth, medical licensing
Gov. Brad Little announced Thursday that he signed a proclamation that would temporarily suspend more health care regulations in the effort to fight the virus.
Little’s office announced in a press release that 18 regulations regarding health care via telecommunications and licensing of medical professionals would be waived. The governor waived 125 other regulations last month in order to get health care workers relicensed and quicken the state’s response to the virus.
“As the number of confirmed cases in Idaho continues to rise by the day, we are maintaining our focus on increasing health care capacity to deal with the medical needs of our friends and neighbors,” Little said in the press release.
University of Idaho helps provide masks
University of Idaho faculty are working to help design needed masks amid the coronavirus pandemic. The College of Engineering is working with health care providers in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley to help with the demand for respirator masks and equipment sterilization systems at area hospitals.
“U of I engineering faculty is finalizing an improved design for a 3D-printed filtering facepiece respirator mask,” according to a news release from the university. “This new design allows the wearer to breathe more easily and can be used with different filtration materials that are readily available.”
The university plans to work with 3D printing partners across Idaho and Washington when the design is finalized to mass-produce the masks. Community members who have access to 3D printers and are interested in supporting this effort should contact Cassidy Hall at cassidyh@uidaho.edu.
The Department of Theatre Arts at U of I is also using costume supplies to make cloth masks that can be used by Gritman Medical Center staff to cover N95 masks. Gritman Medical Center is the hospital in Moscow. The cloth would extend the useful life of the medical equipment.
Additionally, U of I reported that a decommissioned dormitory on the edge of campus – the old Targhee Hall – has been prepared for use if needed. The building would have 32 beds for use by Gritman should the hospital need it, according to the news release.
Boise will delay in-person inspections
The city of Boise will delay all in-person inspections “for projects involving existing occupied homes” until after April 17, according to an email from Mark Lavin, the city’s director of planning and development services, and Steve Burgos, the director of public works.
That includes residential remodels, repairs and additions, as well as HVAC, plumbing and electrical retrofits. Virtual inspections may be an option, however. Emergency repairs of power, heating, gas, water and sewer services will still occur.
Those working on job sites will be asked to incorporate additional safety protocols, including limiting work in occupied areas and asking questions about potential illness before scheduling work. Social distancing guidelines are still to be followed, and workers are encouraged to wash their hands often.
Statesman reporter Hayley Harding contributed.
This story was originally published April 2, 2020 at 11:37 AM.
