Boise’s coronavirus cluster tied to downtown expands; more bars connected to cases
Boise-based Central District Health has learned through recent COVID-19 investigations that four infected individuals spent time in bars and restaurants in Ada County while unknowingly infected.
The potential exposures occurred at Matador in downtown Boise (bar-top area only) on June 7; Vista Bar in Boise on June 9; 9th Street Nook in Boise on June 10; and The Breakaway Cafe & Spirits in Meridian (bar-top area only) on June 13.
Anyone at one of these establishments on the specified date is advised to monitor for the following symptoms for two weeks from the date of possible exposure: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, sore throat, or new loss of taste or smell. Those who experience any of these symptoms are advised to contact their health care provider.
CDH said it is providing information on public exposure locations in situations where an infectious individual had close contact with multiple, unidentified people, and where direct communication with potentially exposed individuals is not possible.
“We recognize and commend businesses who are working hard to reduce risks for patrons and staff, but we know the reality is that some of our community members are becoming infected with COVID-19 and showing no symptoms or initially experiencing mild symptoms, and they’re out in public unintentionally exposing others,” CDH District Director Russ Duke said in a press release.
“These could be our friends or family, so each of us needs to be accountable and maintain heightened awareness. We must take every measure we can to protect ourselves and others, which means limiting potential exposures, consistently wearing masks, and practicing physical distancing.”
There were 74 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus reported Tuesday — the most added in a single day since May 22 and the second-most since April 9. The statewide total stands at 3,196 cases.
As of Monday afternoon, individuals ages 18-29 accounted for 254 confirmed or probable coronavirus cases in Central District Health’s region, which encompasses Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties. That is the largest number of cases of any age group in the district. Of Ada County’s 892 confirmed/probable cases through Monday, 602 have been Boise residents. The other cases are spread between Eagle (48), Garden City (14), Kuna (31), Meridian (182) and Star (15).
The new confirmed cases added Tuesday were in Ada (28 new, 884 total), Adams (2 new, 8 total), Bannock (1 new, 63 total), Benewah (1 new, 11 total), Canyon (7 new, 331 total), Caribou (1 new, 5 total), Cassia (6 new, 129 total), Elmore (2 new, 36 total), Franklin (1 new, 17 total), Gooding (1 new, 50 total), Jerome (3 new, 183 total), Kootenai (4 new, 103 total), Minidoka (1 new, 89 total), Owyhee (1 new, 10 total), Payette (2 new, 26 total), Teton (1 new, 11 total), Twin Falls (7 new, 409 total) and Washington (5 new, 56 total) counties.
There are 343 “probable cases” in the state, an increase of two from Monday. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reports that 2,921 cases are “presumed recovered.”
Illness cluster grows among 6th and Main patrons
The illness cluster among individuals who reported visiting multiple downtown Boise bars on the evenings of June 5 and 6 while infectious has increased from an initial 10 cases to 34 confirmed cases and three probable cases, according to Central District Health.
Those who were at the identified bars in the area of 6th and Main streets in downtown Boise during the evening hours of June 5, 6, 12 or 13 are advised to monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days after the potential exposure. The Boise bars where patrons visited while contagious include Amsterdam Lounge, Cactus Bar, Humpin’ Hannah’s, Silly Birch, StrangeLove and Tom Grainey’s.
As case investigations continue, CDH anticipates more cases will be associated with this exposure. Most of the individuals in this illness cluster have reported mild to moderate symptoms, and most have been in their 20s and 30s, according to CDH. However, some household contacts have consequently been infected with the coronavirus.
DAILY DETAILS
Hospitalizations: Health and Welfare reports that there have been 275 hospitalizations due to the coronavirus, 101 admissions to the ICU and 370 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 Monday, Health and Welfare reported that 66,441 tests had been completed statewide. About 4.8% of those have been positive for COVID-19.
Counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases: Ada 884, Adams 8, Bannock 63, Benewah 11, Bingham 26, Blaine 504, Bonner 7, Bonneville 57, Camas 1, Canyon 338, Caribou 5, Cassia 129, Custer 2, Elmore 36, Franklin 17, Fremont 3, Gem 13, Gooding 50, Idaho 3, Jefferson 8, Jerome 183, Kootenai 103, Latah 7, Lemhi 2, Lincoln 31, Madison 19, Minidoka 89, Nez Perce 75, Owyhee 10, Payette 26, Power 7, Teton 11, Twin Falls 409, Valley 3 and Washington 56.
Counties with community spread: 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 16, 2020 at 4:15 PM.
