Idaho marks another unpleasant milestone in the fight against the coronavirus
Idaho hit an unsavory milestone Thursday in its battle with the coronavirus, reporting more than 2,000 confirmed cases statewide.
The Gem State’s death toll also increased by one to 67. The state’s seven health districts reported a combined 14 new confirmed cases Thursday for a total of 2,008.
A Nez Perce County man in his 80s died from COVID-19, according to the Idaho North Central District’s website. It is the 19th death in the county. At least eight of the county’s coronavirus deaths have been connected to the Life Care Center of Lewiston, which told the Idaho Statesman last week that 17 of its residents had died since the coronavirus was discovered at the facility March 25.
Thursday’s new confirmed cases were added in Ada (1 new, 680 total), Canyon (3 new, 251 total), Gooding (2 new, 14 total), Jerome (1 new, 55 total), Lincoln (1 new, 27 total) and Twin Falls (6 new, 199 total) counties. There are 171 “probable cases” throughout the state, a decrease of one from Wednesday. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reports that 1,420 cases are “presumed recovered.”
Nez Perce Tribe reports cases
Nimiipuu Health in Lapwai says it has tested 53 individuals of the Nez Perce Tribe, with 16 tests coming back positive for COVID-19.
The Idaho North Central District is conducting contact tracing for each case, according to a press release from the Nez Perce Tribe.
“We are continuing to test, and are fortunate to have the capability to receive same-day results,” said Kim Hartwig, the Nimiipuu Health Medical Director. “We are doing all we can at this time to ensure the safety of everyone. We are learning more each day about the impacts this virus is having on our community.”
Nimiipuu Health says there is no indication of community spread at this time on the Nez Perce Reservation.
Cases involving Idaho residents are included in the state’s case numbers.
Daily Details
Hospitalizations: Health and Welfare reports that there have been 206 hospitalizations due to the coronavirus, 86 admissions to the ICU and 269 health care workers who have been infected. The hospital and health care numbers are based on cases with completed investigations into contacts, not the full number of positives.
Testing totals: At the end of the day Thursday, Health and Welfare reported that 31,099 tests had been completed statewide. About 6.5% have been positive for COVID-19.
Counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases: Ada 680, Adams 3, Bannock 8, Bingham 4, Blaine 489, Bonner 4, Bonneville 17, Camas 1, Canyon 251, Caribou 1, Cassia 13, Custer 2, Elmore 30, Fremont 2, Gem 11, Gooding 14, Idaho 3, Jefferson 4, Jerome 55, Kootenai 62, Latah 5, Lemhi 1, Lincoln 27, Madison 9, Minidoka 8, Nez Perce 69, Owyhee 8, Payette 14, Power 2, Teton 9, Twin Falls 199, Valley 2 and Washington 1.
Counties with community spread: Ada, Bannock, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Lemhi, Owyhee, Madison, Payette, Teton and Twin Falls.
This story was originally published May 7, 2020 at 6:01 PM.
