‘It falls on the community’: Idaho’s coronavirus count causes concern in Boise, beyond
State and local officials voiced some concern Friday over the growing number of coronavirus cases that Idaho, and particularly Boise, are seeing.
On Thursday, health officials around Idaho reported 102 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus, the first time the state has seen a triple-digit tally since April 2. Exactly half of those cases were reported in Ada County, where a number of downtown Boise bars have been sites of an outbreak.
Another triple-digit figure followed Friday evening, with 111 cases confirmed around the state, and 46 more in Ada County.
“I’m concerned,” Boise Mayor Lauren McLean said Friday. “If people aren’t vigilant and businesses aren’t vigilant, we risk seeing spikes.”
Brandon Atkins, a program manager for Boise-based Central District Health, told the Statesman that the increasing numbers — more than 180 in the three days prior to Thursday’s and Friday’s big jumps — are causing a good deal of worry, and people should be taking notice.
As the state has nearly fully reopened, more and more people are out, and CDH has recommended that the public should be wearing masks or other face coverings, and practicing physical distancing and good hygiene. But ultimately, he said, the district can do only so much.
“It falls on the community to do what they should do,” Atkins said.
McLean said she understands that Boise residents were tired of the restrictions brought on by COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, but it is crucial for everyone to follow health protocols and respect their fellow residents. She once again implored everyone to take the threat of the virus seriously.
“My hope is that people realize to keep our economy healthy, we have to keep our residents healthy,” the mayor said.
State officials say they expected a rise in cases as coronavirus testing became more available and the state reopened, but that doesn’t make it easier to see happening.
In an email Friday, Elke Shaw-Tulloch — state health officer and the administrator for the Division of Public Health — said part of the rise in cases is due to pockets of positive tests at Treasure Valley bars, with many new ill people being young.
“Even so, we are encouraged to see that even as the number of cases are increasing, the number of hospitalizations for COVID-19 are not,” Shaw-Tulloch said. “We hope that trend continues.”
CDH working with businesses
Emily Callihan, communications director for Gov. Brad Little, said the governor would hold a press conference next week to give Idaho an update on the state’s progress with reopening. She echoed Shaw-Tulloch’s mention of greater testing partly leading to a rise in virus cases.
Atkins said the health district has talked to several bar owners about what they can do to help combat the spread of the virus. He’s hopeful that all business owners will be receptive to precautions, but said CDH has the ability to step in if necessary.
“If we don’t see willingness, we may have to go further,” Atkins said. He said local health officials can shut down businesses if they are deemed a health risk — just as if there was an outbreak of another illness, such as salmonella.
He reiterated that everyone, regardless of age, should be taking the virus seriously. Younger people are much more susceptible to grave health conditions following a coronavirus diagnosis, such as higher risk of stroke and blood clots, he said.
Atkins also said people need to look at the bigger picture and think seriously about the public’s health rather than just their individual comfort. Basic health precautions could be the difference between spreading the virus to a loved one or keeping them healthy.
The uptick in cases is proof that Idaho isn’t out of the woods, officials said. Shaw-Tulloch said everyone should continue to follow the recommended health guidelines — face coverings, physical distancing, sanitizing — throughout the summer months.
“The virus is with us and will remain with us until there is a vaccine or a proven medical therapy, and we all need to be aware of that as we make decisions about how we spend our time,” Shaw-Tulloch said.
This story was originally published June 19, 2020 at 3:22 PM.
