Coronavirus: COVID-19 death reported in North Idaho, manufacturer lays off 34 workers
Health officials in North Idaho have reported the first coronavirus-related death in the area.
A Kootenai County man in his 70s is the latest Idahoan to die due to complications from COVID-19, according to the Panhandle Health District.
The health district said in a news release Monday that the man who died was hospitalized before he died.
“Our hearts are with the family, friends and neighbors who are grieving,” said Lora Whalen, PHD Director, in the news release. “We’ve all seen reports of COVID-19 related deaths in other states and counties, but losing a friend, and neighbor, reminds us how important it is to continue working to protect each other during this pandemic.”
The health district is urging everyone to take precautions to slow the spread of the virus, including wearing a face covering while in public and practicing physical distancing.
The Kootenai County death brings Idaho’s coronavirus death total to 89 as of Monday afternoon.
Rent help available for Idahoans
Renters in Idaho affected by the coronavirus pandemic may qualify for financial assistance from the Idaho Housing and Finance Association.
The association’s Housing Preservation Program provides Idahoans with short-term financial support for rent and utility bills, according to a news release. The program is available only to renters, and applicants must be past due for rent or utilities, or show that they will be unable to pay upcoming bills due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Applicants also can earn no more than 80% of the area’s median income and must have “at least one member of the household legally eligible to reside in the United States,” according to the news release.
Applications will be reviewed and processed within three to seven days. If an application is granted, payments will be made directly to landlords or utility companies.
The housing program was started with a $250,000 investment from IHFA. Since then, Idaho Gov. Brad Little allocated $5 million more from the state’s coronavirus relief fund. There is an option for the state to give two more installments of cash if needed.
To see if you qualify, go to www.idahohousing.com/covid-19 for more information.
North Idaho company issues layoff notices
Advanced Thermoplastic Composites, based in Post Falls, has notified the Idaho Department of Labor that it has laid off 34 workers, according to a notice filed under the federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act.
The company makes composite products for use in the aerospace industry, specializing in parts with low weight and high strength. The Boeing Co. is a major customer.
Generally, when companies with 100 or more workers shut down or have mass layoffs, they must file WARN notices.
The Department of Labor has now received notice of 1,538 layoffs statewide because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Two new cases reported in Southeast Idaho
Southeastern Idaho Public Health officials reported Sunday evening that two new coronavirus cases were found in the area.
Single cases were found in Bannock and Franklin counties, according to a tweet from SIPH. The new Bannock case involves a man in his 60s, while the Franklin case involves a man in his 70s. Health officials say the Franklin County man had contact with another confirmed case, while the Bannock case is still under investigation. Both patients are at home recovering.
With the new cases reported by SIPH, Bannock County now has 59 confirmed coronavirus cases and Franklin has 15.
On Saturday, 16 new cases were reported in Ada County, the largest single-day increase in confirmed coronavirus cases since April 20. Ada has the highest number of confirmed cases in all of Idaho: 827 as of Saturday. New cases were also reported in Bonneville, Cassia, Jerome and Washington, among others.
Bonneville County had its first coronavirus death on Saturday, as Eastern Idaho Public Health officials reported a woman in her 80s with underlying health conditions had died from COVID-19. She had been in a hospital since June 4.
As of Monday morning, there have been 3,058 confirmed cases in the state. As of Saturday, there are 338 “probable cases” in Idaho, an increase of eight from Friday.
Coronavirus cases have been found in most of Idaho’s 44 counties: Ada 827, Adams 4, Bannock 59, Benewah 10, Bingham 26, Blaine 504, Bonner 7, Bonneville 52, Camas 1, Canyon 327, Caribou 4, Cassia 119, Custer 2, Elmore 33, Franklin 15, Fremont 3, Gem 13, Gooding 49, Idaho 3, Jefferson 8, Jerome 177, Kootenai 98, Latah 6, Lemhi 1, Lincoln 31, Madison 19, Minidoka 87, Nez Perce 75, Owyhee 8, Payette 23, Power 7, Teton 10, Twin Falls 398, Valley 3 and Washington 49.
Community spread has been detected in 25 counties: Ada, Bannock, Benewah, Bingham, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Canyon, Caribou, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Lemhi, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Power, Teton and Twin Falls.
This story was originally published June 15, 2020 at 9:42 AM.
