Coronavirus update: 3 counties report new coronavirus cases, Idaho prisons make masks
The Idaho infection rate has slowed in the past few days, but officials are still stressing the importance of social distancing and getting tested for the coronavirus.
On Wednesday morning, Twin Falls, Gooding and Jerome counties reported one new case of coronavirus apiece. That brought Twin Falls County’s count to 54 people, Gooding’s to four and Jerome’s to 19. The statewide count is up to 1,205, with cases in 32 of Idaho’s 44 counties.
Those were the only cases reported prior to the 5-5:30 p.m. numbers updates provided by the local health districts and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
The rate of infection and the severity of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, are becoming more apparent in Idaho, as authorities have reported 15 deaths.
Idaho has confirmed community spread in 13 counties: Ada, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Jefferson, Kootenai, Madison, Payette, Teton and Twin Falls.
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.
Idaho prisons need supplies for sewing masks
The Idaho Department of Correction is responsible for the lives of thousands of inmates across the state. On Tuesday, the department asked for donations of materials so inmates can make cloth masks for themselves and staff members.
The state is asking for 1/4-inch elastic and 100% cotton fabric in any color. Thread and straight pins are also needed for sewing the masks.
Ross Castleton, deputy chief of prisons for IDOC, said Wednesday that the department needs to make about 30,000 masks. That’s roughly three masks for every IDOC inmate and staff member — one to wear, one to have in the laundry and one to have as a backup.
Castleton said the prisons have been discussing the idea for about a week, initially planning to make gowns and masks to donate to the community. But when the CDC announced masks could be beneficial for people living in close proximity, IDOC chose to first make masks for inmates and staff.
Inmates have volunteered at every facility to help sew. They did run into some supply issues initially, because there is a shortage on some things, such as 100% cotton fabric.
“The inmates are very excited and happy to do it and willing to help,” Castleton said.
IDOC staff is also working to educate inmates about the virus and has posted CDC informational posters at every prison.
Once it has at least 30,000 masks, IDOC said it will donate any additional masks to community groups.
Supplies may be left in the donation boxes outside IDOC’s central office at 1299 N. Orchard St. in Boise. They also may be left in collection boxes outside Pocatello Women’s Correctional Center, the St. Anthony Work Camp, the North Idaho Correctional Institution in Cottonwood and the Idaho Correctional Institution in Orofino.
IDOC had not reported any inmates testing positive for the virus as of Wednesday, but at least one staffer at the Idaho Maximum Security Institution in Kuna did test positive.
Gas sales, prices plummet while convenience stores struggle
The average price of regular gasoline in Boise has dropped by 33 cents in the past month. While that’s good for the few drivers still out on the road, convenience store operators are having a tougher time, according to a trade group.
With fewer motorists buying gas, less money is also being spent inside convenience stores, Matt Berry, president of the Idaho Petroleum Marketers & Convenience Store Association, said in a statement. Many local store owners are worried about making payroll and keeping their doors open, Berry said.
“We appreciate Idahoans who are using local convenience stores as a safe place to buy essentials and daily needs,” Berry said.
Stores have implemented added cleaning procedures and employees have been encouraged to wear gloves and wash their hands more frequently to protect themselves and customers, he said.
The average price of regular gas on Monday was $2.22 per gallon, according to a report by GasBuddy.com, which operates a phone app listing prices. That’s down from $2.55 on March 2.
The cheapest price in Boise on Thursday was $1.95 at Costco and $1.99 at Fred Meyer, Maverik, Albertsons and Flying J, according to GasBuddy.
Boise to book hotel for people who need to isolate or are homeless
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said Wednesday that the city is working with a local hotel to provide rooms for people who are homeless as well as medical professionals needing to isolate from their families after working with patients with COVID-19.
McLean did not name the hotel, saying she was not sure the contract was signed yet. The city will front the money for the rooms but expects to be reimbursed through the federal CARES Act, the federal stimulus plan for economic recovery during and after the pandemic.
That will be the second hotel to be part of the effort. The first, Garden City’s Riverside Hotel, has 30 rooms occupied by 73 people, McLean said.
Passenger numbers drop at Boise Airport
Passenger traffic at the Boise Airport in March is estimated to “be down significantly,” Sean Briggs, spokesman for the airport, told the Statesman.
Officials numbers for March travelers won’t be out until later in the month, but TSA data throughout the country shows a decline from 90-95% year-over-year. Boise is predicted to mirror that, Briggs said.
“Airlines are making decisions on a daily basis that affect flight operations at the Boise Airport,” Briggs wrote in an email. “The Boise Airport has seen a reduction in commercial flights by over 50% since early March.”
Idaho companies issue layoff notices
Three Idaho companies have notified the Idaho Department of Labor that they’ve laid off 244 employees.
Nashua Homes, a Boise builder of modular housing and commercial buildings, laid off 109 workers, according to a notice filed under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
Generally, when companies with 100 or more workers shut down or have mass layoffs, they must file WARN notices.
Denny’s laid off 90 workers at restaurants in Boise, Chubbuck and Idaho Falls. The company did not break down how many people were laid off at each location.
ALSCO, which provides uniforms and rental linens to businesses, laid off 25 employees at its Boise office.
This story was originally published April 8, 2020 at 10:54 AM.
