Ada, Canyon counties report new coronavirus-related deaths to push statewide total past 50
Two new coronavirus-related deaths were reported in Ada County and one apiece in Canyon, Nez Perce and Twin Falls counties on Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to 53.
Boise-based Central District Health added two confirmed deaths to its website, which now shows 12 confirmed and two probable deaths from COVID-19. Ada County also leads the state with 591 confirmed and 32 probable cases of coronavirus.
The latest death in Canyon County brings its total to six, according to Southwest District Health. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported an 11th death in Twin Falls County. Case-specific information was not available for either county.
The coronavirus continues to have a deadly impact in Nez Perce County, where a 12th death was announced by the Idaho North Central public health district. Nez Perce has confirmed 35 cases of COVID-19 and nine probable cases in the county for a case fatality rate of 27.2%.
Dave Jeppesen, director of the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, told Idaho Public Television last week that a long-term care facility has been involved in the high death rate in the Lewiston area. Life Care Center in Lewiston told the Idaho Statesman last week that it had eight residents and 11 associates who had tested positive for the coronavirus.
It is unknown if the latest Nez Perce death is related to the facility. Eight of the reported deaths in the county have been female and four male. Eight of the deaths were individuals in their 90s, three in their 80s and one in their 70s.
With all seven of the state’s health districts posting at least one update on their websites Tuesday, there were 25 new cases for a statewide total of 1,663. New cases were reported in Ada (4 new, 591 total), Blaine (2 new, 473 total), Canyon (3 new, 202 total), Elmore (2 new, 23 total), Kootenai (2 new, 54 total), Lincoln (1 new, 18 total), Nez Perce (3 new, 35 total), Owyhee (1 new, 5 total) and Twin Falls (7 new, 117 total) counties.
There also are 107 “probable cases” of coronavirus and 710 “presumed recovered” patients throughout the state, according to IDHW. A probable case is described as an individual who meets clinical criteria and epidemiologic evidence without a confirmed laboratory test.
According to IDHW’s emergency room database, there were just two emergency room visits statewide Monday for individuals reporting COVID-19 symptoms. That is the lowest number since IDHW began tracking that data on Feb. 1.
Health and Welfare reported 17,730 tests had been completed statewide at the end of the day Tuesday. About 9.4% have been positive for COVID-19. There have been 158 hospitalizations, 58 admissions to the ICU and 218 health care workers who have been infected, according to IDHW. The hospital and health care numbers are based on cases with completed investigations into contacts, not the full number of positives.
Idaho has community transmission in 14 counties: Ada, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Madison, Payette, Teton and Twin Falls.
Cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in 32 of Idaho’s 44 counties: Ada 591, Adams 3, Bannock 5, Bingham 3, Blaine 473, Bonner 4, Bonneville 16, Camas 1, Canyon 202, Caribou 1, Cassia 11, Custer 2, Elmore 23, Fremont 2, Gem 9, Gooding 7, Idaho 3, Jefferson 4, Jerome 36, Kootenai 54, Latah 4, Lincoln 18, Madison 5, Minidoka 7, Nez Perce 35, Owyhee 5, Payette 10, Power 2, Teton 7, Twin Falls 117, Valley 2 and Washington 1.
This story was originally published April 21, 2020 at 5:43 PM.
