Coronavirus: Nez Perce deaths appear to be connected to care facility, IDHW director says
The high number of coronavirus deaths in Nez Perce County appears to be connected to a long-term care facility there, according to Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen.
During an interview with Idaho Reports, Jeppesen said that in that location, a number of those who contracted the virus had complicated, underlying health conditions.
“That seems to be what’s driving that in the long-term care facility there in Nez Perce County,” Jeppesen said.
As of Friday morning, Nez Perce reported 22 positive cases of the virus and seven probable cases since the coronavirus outbreak began. Of those cases, 10 people have died, with eight of the 10 being 90 or older.
New cases reported in Twin Falls, Kootenai counties
More cases of the coronavirus continue to be reported throughout Idaho.
The South Central Public Health District reported Friday that there were five new positive cases in Twin Falls County, as well as new cases in Blaine, Jerome and Lincoln counties.
To the north, the Panhandle Health District found one new case in Kootenai County, bringing Kootenai’s total to 50.
Health departments from around Idaho have reported that 41 people have died from the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19 respiratory disease. In total, 1,540 positive cases in Idaho have been confirmed.
As of Thursday, cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in 32 of Idaho’s 44 counties: Ada 550, Adams 1, Bannock 5, Bingham 3, Blaine 468, Bonner 4, Bonneville 16, Camas 1, Canyon 179, Caribou 1, Cassia 10, Custer 2, Elmore 19, Fremont 2, Gem 9, Gooding 6, Idaho 3, Jefferson 4, Jerome 36, Kootenai 49, Latah 3, Lincoln 16, Madison 5, Minidoka 6, Nez Perce 22, Owyhee 4, Payette 10, Power 2, Teton 6, Twin Falls 94, Valley 2 and Washington 1.
On Thursday, health officials confirmed community spread in Jerome County. With that, Idaho now has community transmission in 14 counties: Ada, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Madison, Payette, Teton and Twin Falls.
Blaine County easing some restrictions for residents
Blaine County Commissioners agreed Thursday that they will not renew an order on county-specific restrictions implemented to help halt the spread of coronavirus.
The order, which will expire just before midnight on Sunday, barred construction and landscaping work and nonessential travel outside of Blaine County, among other restrictions. Commissioners approved the measure March 27.
When the ordinance expires Sunday night, Blaine County will be under the same restrictions as every other county in Idaho set forth by Gov. Brad Little’s stay-home order that was renewed Wednesday.
County officials also emphasized the importance of social distancing as well as personal health measures to ensure a second wave of coronavirus cases does not occur.
“We need to continue to be diligent and have good practices in place,” Blaine County Commissioner Angenie McCleary said in a news release.
Little: Trump’s new guidelines align with Idaho’s actions
President Donald Trump released guidelines Thursday for Opening Up America Again, a three-phase approach implemented by the White House to outline officials’ plans to reopen the country.
Following the announcement, Gov. Brad Little issued a statement saying Trump’s guidelines align with Idaho’s actions to overcome the coronavirus.
“In fact, every step of the way, we have been in sync with the president’s direction,” Little said in a statement Thursday. “President Trump’s criteria for a phased opening match the criteria we have been using in Idaho. This affirms our actions are appropriate.”
He added that the White House guidelines confirm that Idaho is focused on the right areas of improvement, such as expanding access for testing, increasing health care system capacity, and protecting the health of critical workers and vulnerable residents, among other areas of emphasis.
“I am deeply committed to getting Idaho’s economy back up and running,” Little said in the statement. “Our collective efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus are working, but we have not yet seen a prolonged downward trend … to justify opening up everything at once.”
Bronco Motors donates to St. Luke’s for thermal scanners and more
Earlier this month, Idaho car dealership Bronco Motors donated $10,000 to St. Luke’s Health Foundation to buy thermal scanners and a first-ever virtual Kid for a Night event, according to a news release from the dealership.
Thermal scanners have become a necessary tool for medical professionals during the coronavirus pandemic, as they are able to detect elevated temperatures before people enter health care facilities.
“It’s the responsibility of our business to support people and businesses like St. Luke’s who are on the front lines of COVID-19 in keeping our communities safe,” Grant Petersen Jr., president and CEO of Bronco Motors, said in the news release.
The Kid for a Night event is scheduled to take place June 5, and more details will be released at a later date.
Canyon County Commissioners extend emergency declaration
The Canyon County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to extend the local COVID-19 emergency declaration for 30 days, according to a county news release. The local emergency declaration is intended to supplement and complement Gov. Little’s statewide extreme emergency declaration that he issued on March 25.
The governor’s extreme emergency declaration is also still active, according to his press secretary.
As of Thursday, Canyon County had reported 179 cases of coronavirus cases and five deaths. Southwest District Health has confirmed there is community spread of the virus in Canyon County.
The county’s declaration continues to activate all emergency plans and frees up any state financial or emergency assistance it could be eligible for amid the pandemic. The county declaration remains active through May 16.
Interfaith Sanctuary sees generosity amid pandemic
Interfaith Sanctuary, which provides meals and shelter for people experiencing homelessness, has seen generosity during the pandemic. As of Thursday, executive director Jodi Peterson-Stigers said none of the guests at the shelter had tested positive for COVID-19.
She did release a video on Tuesday, saying the amount of donations Interfaith Sanctuary has received was amazing.
“Our needs are met so quickly by our community, it’s overwhelming,” she said.
The shelter was asking for $2,800 in donations earlier this week to pay for seven spaghetti dinners on Sundays at Interfaith, and they raised $9,710 within two days.
Peterson-Stigers released the video to publicly thank donors for their support.
This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 8:56 AM.
