Idaho updates data with missing negative coronavirus tests; new cases top 50
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added nearly 4,000 missing negative coronavirus tests to its website Thursday in an effort to create a more complete picture of Idaho’s positive testing percentage.
The negative tests date back as far as May 7 and were collected from labs that previously had not reported negative COVID-19 test results to the state. Health and Welfare said “data would be reanalyzed and updated as soon as possible.”
The 3,809 additional tests bring the state’s total of laboratory tests completed to 53,333, although that figure is not considered “verified,” according to IDHW. It also lowers the overall positive percentage from about 5.5% on Wednesday to 5.2%.
Ten Idaho counties added a combined 54 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Thursday, which increases the state’s total to 2,766 cases. New cases were reported by the state’s seven health districts in Ada (5 new, 773 total), Bannock (7 new, 41 total), Bingham (5 new, 17 total), Bonneville (1 new, 39 total), Canyon (7 new, 296 total), Cassia (10 new, 88 total), Jerome (9 new, 165 total), Minidoka (6 new, 62 total), Payette (1 new, 22 total) and Twin Falls (3 new, 363 total) counties.
There are 291 “probable cases” throughout the state, an increase of 10 from Wednesday. Health and Welfare reports that 2,362 cases are “presumed recovered.”
Community transmission of COVID-19 was identified in Benewah and Bonner counties in North Idaho on Thursday, according to a Panhandle Health District press release. There are now 23 Idaho counties with community spread. PHD says it has 97 confirmed cases of the coronavirus as of Thursday, an increase of 18 cases since last week.
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe announced 22 coronavirus cases associated with the reservation, although not all of those cases are reflected in the Panhandle’s case count as contract tracers are still working to verify the primary residences of some individuals.
DAILY DETAILS
Hospitalizations: Health and Welfare reports that there have been 255 hospitalizations due to the coronavirus, 98 admissions to the ICU and 318 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 53,333 tests had been completed statewide. About 5.2% of those have been positive for COVID-19.
Counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases: Ada 773, Adams 3, Bannock 41, Benewah 7, Bingham 17, Blaine 503, Bonner 5, Bonneville 39, Camas 1, Canyon 296, Caribou 3, Cassia 88, Custer 2, Elmore 31, Franklin 7, Fremont 3, Gem 13, Gooding 44, Idaho 3, Jefferson 7, Jerome 165, Kootenai 78, Latah 6, Lemhi 1, Lincoln 30, Madison 16, Minidoka 62, Nez Perce 74, Owyhee 8, Payette 22, Power 6, Teton 10, Twin Falls 363, Valley 2 and Washington 37.
Counties with community spread: Ada, Bannock, Benewah, Bingham, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Canyon, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Lemhi, Owyhee, Madison, Minidoka, Payette, Power, Teton and Twin Falls.
This story was originally published June 4, 2020 at 6:24 PM.
