Nez Perce County reports 11th coronavirus death; nursing home confirms infections
Nez Perce County reported a new coronavirus-related death Friday, bringing the county’s death count to 11. The deceased person was a woman in her 80s, according to the demographics posted by the Idaho North Central District public health department.
North Central District has confirmed 22 cases of coronavirus and listed eight probable cases in Nez Perce County through Friday. That means Nez Perce County, which includes Lewiston, has a coronavirus case fatality rate of 36.7%.
The high number of coronavirus deaths in the county appears connected to a long-term care facility there, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen told Idaho Public Television on Thursday night. All of the victims have been 70 or older, with eight in their 90s, according to North Central District.
The Idaho Statesman reached out to Life Care Center in Lewiston after noticing a string of death notices that mentioned the facility. A statement was provided late Friday afternoon from Tiffany Goin, the senior executive director at the facility.
Eight residents and 11 associates have tested positive for the coronavirus, Goin wrote — numbers that would account for most of the county’s cases. The first patient died in a hospital, she wrote, but the rest of the infected patients are “isolated and recovering in our facility,” she wrote. Ten of the 11 staff members are recovering at home, she wrote, while one has been cleared to return to work.
At least seven of the coronavirus-related deaths in Nez Perce County, however, were probable cases in which the COVID-19 disease or the virus was cited on the death certificate without a positive lab result.
“When symptoms appeared, measures were taken to isolate those patients from other residents, and symptomatic staff were quarantined,” Goin wrote. “Due to limitations in testing supplies locally and nationally, we were unable to test all patients and staff who became symptomatic. Any who developed symptoms typical for COVID-19 were presumed to be infected where there was known history of exposure. This was done to protect other residents and staff from further transmission. We are continuing to closely monitor all patients and staff and working on expanded testing within the facility now that access to testing supplies locally has improved.”
Twin Falls County also reported a new death Friday, bringing the county’s death toll to nine. Twin Falls County has 98 confirmed cases of coronavirus.
Seven Twin Falls County deaths were reported this week — and there’s a connection to long-term care facilities there, too.
“I can confirm that some of these deaths are from residents of long-term care facilities in Twin Falls County,” wrote Brianna Bodily, the spokeswoman for South Central Public Health District, in an email. “I can’t tell you what facilities they are because that gives away a person’s address and therefore is protected medical information.
“I can also tell you that if there is a case of COVID-19 in a facility, family members of the residents should be notified by the facility right away.”
Ada County reported 17 new confirmed cases Friday, according to Central District Health, but no new deaths. That brings Ada County’s total to 567 cases of confirmed coronavirus. It was the largest number of new cases in Ada County since April 10 (20).
Elmore County also reported a new case Friday, bringing its total number to 20 cases in the county.
Canyon County saw two new cases, bringing the county total to 181 cases, according to Southwest District Health. The district also reported Friday that Payette County only had nine cases, which was one fewer than Thursday.
The South Central Public Health District reported Friday evening that Blaine County grew to 469 cases, Minidoka County grew to seven cases and Twin Falls County grew to 98.
But, new information shows, of Blaine County’s cases, 425 people are no longer being monitored. Twin Falls is still monitoring 40 of its cases and has another 12 “probable” COVID-19 cases, according to South Central Public Health.
There have been 43 deaths and 1,566 confirmed coronavirus cases statewide.
The state’s Friday update reported that, of the confirmed cases, 187 were health care workers, 151 people had been hospitalized and 53 had been in the intensive care unit of a hospital. Of the coronavirus cases, the state estimated 453 patients were recovered.
As of Friday, Central District Health was reporting nine coronavirus-related deaths in Ada County.
In preparation for expected new deaths, the Ada County Coroner’s Office announced Friday it now has a refrigerated trailer that’s parked outside the coroner’s office.
The Ada County Coroner’s Office has been saying for at least a year it struggles with overcrowding, but the coronavirus only adds to the burden.
In a tweet, the coroner’s office said: “Sadly with times like these, additional storage is a necessity to safely and effectively serve our community and our state. We are so grateful for the support from our Ada County commissioners, fellow Idaho coroners, local businesses and community members.”
Assistant Editor Chadd Cripe contributed.
This story was originally published April 17, 2020 at 4:39 PM.
