Deadly week continues with two new coronavirus fatalities in Twin Falls
Twin Falls County reported two more deaths related to the coronavirus Tuesday, and 26 new cases were reported across the state.
The deaths add up to a troubling week in Twin Falls County, which has six deaths in the past six days. It now has 17 total deaths related to the coronavirus, trailing just Ada (23) and Nez Perce (19) counties.
The statewide death total grew to 77, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
The Twin Falls-based South Central Public Health District again reminded residents to follow the latest health guidelines. It also asked the residents for vigilance Friday.
“Public health can educate and investigate, but we don’t have the legal authority to enforce guidelines,” said Tanis Maxwell, an epidemiologist for South Central Public Health, in a news release.
“This is why we ask everyone to protect their own health. If you walk into a restaurant and it is crowded — leave. If your employer asks you to work when you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, remind them that it could put more employees at risk of illness. Take steps to protect your health in every environment.”
The South Central district recorded 15 of the 26 new confirmed coronavirus cases Tuesday. Twin Falls County led the way with eight positive cases. Jerome had four, Gooding two and Blaine one.
Ada (five), Canyon (four) and Washington (two) counties in the Treasure Valley rounded out the day’s total.
Maxwell said South Central expects to keep finding more cases as it ramps up testing.
“We know the virus is still active in our communities,” Maxwell said. “… We will continue to investigate all confirmed cases and their close contacts to slow the spread of COVID-19 wherever it is found.”
DAILY DETAILS
Hospitalizations: Health and Welfare reports that there have been 215 hospitalizations due to the coronavirus, 89 admissions to the ICU and 297 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 Tuesday, Health and Welfare reported that 38,344 tests had been completed statewide. About 5.9% have been positive for COVID-19.
Counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases: Ada 733, Adams 3, Bannock 12, Bingham 6, Blaine 498, Bonner 4, Bonneville 18, Camas 1, Canyon 260, Caribou 1, Cassia 18, Custer 2, Elmore 30, Fremont 2, Gem 12, Gooding 24, Idaho 3, Jefferson 5, Jerome 91, Kootenai 66, Latah 5, Lemhi 1, Lincoln 27, Madison 12, Minidoka 15, Nez Perce 70, Owyhee 8, Payette 18, Power 3, Teton 10, Twin Falls 276, Valley 2 and Washington 30.
Counties with community spread: Ada, Bannock, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Lemhi, Owyhee, Madison, Minidoka, Payette, Teton and Twin Falls.
This story was originally published May 19, 2020 at 7:09 PM.
