Ada County sees significant drop in confirmed coronavirus cases in month of May
With only one day left in the month of May, Ada County has seen a significant drop in its number of new confirmed coronavirus cases.
Boise-based Central District Health reported 449 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Ada County during the month of April, but that number dropped to 114 for May 1-30.
The downward trend in the Boise area continued Saturday, as Central District Health added just one new confirmed case in Ada County to increase its total to a state-leading 756 cases.
Using updated data provided by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Eastern Idaho Public Health and Southeastern Idaho Public Health, there were 23 additional confirmed coronavirus cases statewide on Saturday among 12 counties. The state total stands at 2,589.
In addition to the single case in Ada County, new cases were reported in Bannock (4 new, 27 total), Benewah (4 new, 8 total), Bingham (1 new, 7 total), Bonneville (3 new, 30 total), Canyon (3 new, 279 total), Franklin (1 new, 2 total), Fremont (1 new, 3 total), Kootenai (1 new, 68 total), Madison (1 new, 14 total), Minidoka (1 new, 45 total) and Power (2 new, 6 total) counties.
There are 261 “probable cases” throughout the state, an increase of nine from Friday. Health and Welfare reports that 2,248 cases are “presumed recovered.”
While Ada County has enjoyed a decrease in new cases, South Central Public Health District, which serves cities such as Twin Falls, Jerome and Burley, has been hit recently by outbreaks at several food processing plants.
Idaho began Stage 3 of its reopening process on Saturday, and Health and Welfare asks residents throughout the state to continue to follow recommended precautions such as keeping at least 6 feet between others in public, wearing a mask in public, staying home when sick and washing hands often.
Department of Labor boosts call center staff
The Idaho Department of Labor has contracted with a call center to provide additional agents for claimants who want to talk to someone about their claim beginning Monday, according to a press release from the department. The goal is for claimants to eventually experience shorter hold times, while Labor staff are available for more complex issues.
An additional 30 people will be available to answer calls, take new claims over the phone and unlock accounts, among other tasks.
All claimants who call the department will be directed to call a new toll-free number: (833) 410-1009.
The call center will be staffed to answer calls from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Spanish speaking agents also will be available.
God and Country Festival canceled
The God and Country Association, Inc. has canceled this year’s God and Country Festival scheduled for July 1 at the Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater in Nampa.
The God and Country Festival traditionally draws more than 10,000 guests from around the Treasure Valley, according to a City of Nampa newsletter, and the group cites an uncertain ability to safely gather in large groups because of the coronavirus pandemic as a reason for cancellation.
According to the newsletter, many donors and event sponsors will be conducting a live online broadcast event on July 1, and the in-person event will return next summer.
Nampa Library reopens
A gradual reopening will begin on June 2 for the Nampa Library, though curb-side hold pick up will still be available.
The library lobby will be open from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Guests can check out items on hold, accounts can be created, renewed or updated, and reference questions can be answered. A limited number of computers also will be available for 45-minute sessions.
DAILY DETAILS
Hospitalizations: Health and Welfare reports that there have been 242 hospitalizations due to the coronavirus, 96 admissions to the ICU and 308 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 Saturday, Health and Welfare reported that 46,436 tests had been completed statewide. About 5.6% of those have been positive for COVID-19.
Counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases: Ada 756, Adams 3, Bannock 27, Benewah 8, Bingham 7, Blaine 501, Bonner 6, Bonneville 30, Camas 1, Canyon 279, Caribou 1, Cassia 61, Custer 2, Elmore 30, Franklin 2, Fremont 3, Gem 13, Gooding 40, Idaho 3, Jefferson 5, Jerome 144, Kootenai 68, Latah 6, Lemhi 1, Lincoln 30, Madison 14, Minidoka 45, Nez Perce 73, Owyhee 8, Payette 19, Power 6, Teton 10, Twin Falls 349, Valley 2 and Washington 36.
Counties with community spread: Ada, Bannock, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Lemhi, Owyhee, Madison, Minidoka, Payette, Power, Teton and Twin Falls.
This story was originally published May 30, 2020 at 11:53 AM.
