Idaho adds more than 150 coronavirus cases in a single day; deathless streak continues
In a tale of good news/bad news, Idaho added more than 100 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday for the fifth time in the last six days, but the state went a record-tying eighth straight day without a coronavirus-related death.
The state’s seven health districts reported a combined 152 new confirmed cases — the third-most in a single day since the pandemic began — increasing the statewide total to 3,958 cases. Idaho’s 14-day average has climbed swiftly from 55.1 cases per day on Friday to 85.9 through Tuesday. That’s a 56% percent increase in just four days.
While cases have increased, Idaho has enjoyed a stretch of eight days without a coronavirus-related death. The most recent death came in the Panhandle Health District on June 15 in Kootenai County. The state’s death toll stands at 89.
After reporting a record 138 new confirmed cases in Ada County on Monday (which also included Sunday numbers), Boise-based Central District Health announced 76 cases in Ada County on Tuesday — the second-most in a single day. The rise in cases, which have now reached 1,291, forced CDH to move Ada County back to Stage 3 of Idaho’s reopening process starting Wednesday.
“While Ada County has now moved back to Stage 3 from the Idaho Rebounds plan and bars have been ordered to close, it is an opportunity to learn about the devastating impact COVID-19 can have if businesses and people are not socially responsible and creating environments where people can stay healthy and businesses can stay open,” wrote Elke Shaw-Tulloch, the administrator of the Division of Public Health and the state’s public health officer, in a blog posted on the Health and Welfare website Tuesday.
“We can and should all be doing our part to reduce the risk and help keep Idaho open by wearing cloth face coverings in public, keeping 6 feet apart in public, staying home if you’re sick, and washing or sanitizing your hands frequently.”
The other counties reporting new confirmed cases Tuesday were Bannock (2 new, 81 total), Bingham (1 new, 31 total), Blaine (4 new, 513 total), Bonneville (1 new, 66 total), Canyon (13 new, 435 total), Caribou (1 new, 10 total), Cassia (6 new, 156 total), Elmore (1 new, 42 total), Franklin (1 new, 21 total), Jerome (7 new, 195 total), Kootenai (5 new, 133 total), Lincoln (1 new, 32 total), Minidoka (12 new, 113 total), Nez Perce (1 new, 78 total), Payette (4 new, 40 total), Twin Falls (10 new, 436 total) and Washington (6 new, 86 total).
Southeastern Idaho Public Health corrected its case counts by county this week, removing one case from Bingham County and adding one to Caribou County.
There are 459 “probable cases” in the state, an increase of 25 from Monday. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reports that 3,484 cases are “presumed recovered.”
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhy our case numbers might differ from the state's
The Idaho Statesman is tabulating confirmed coronavirus cases from Idaho’s seven health districts as they’re reported. The health districts report cases on their own schedules — some issue press releases, some simply update totals on their websites. And the reports happen at various times throughout the day.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, meanwhile, updates its statewide numbers once a day at about 5 p.m. Its numbers only include the cases the health districts have reported directly to the department. In some cases, health districts have reported cases publicly but not to the department by the daily deadline.
We break out each day’s new cases by county and provide details on each case when available here.
McLean closes bike bars
Boise Mayor Lauren McLean issued a new public health order on Tuesday, which specifically calls for the closure of bike bars for the next 30 days.
The bike bars were not addressed in Central District Health’s order, only bars and nightclubs.
McLean’s order, which is effective at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, requires businesses to follow safety protocols as outlined by the state; provides additional protection at the airport by only allowing travelers, essential workers and assistance aides in public areas; requires sanitation and physical distancing of 6 feet unless protocols have been issued by the state; limits group gatherings in Boise to fewer than 50 people; and closes all bars, taverns, nightclubs, private liquor clubs, taprooms, tasting rooms, bike bars, cabarets and saloons.
The order also cancels the city’s Fourth of July fireworks celebration.
DAILY DETAILS
Hospitalizations: Health and Welfare reports that there have been 298 hospitalizations due to the coronavirus, 105 admissions to the ICU and 427 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 77,376 tests had been completed statewide. About 5.1% of those have been positive for COVID-19.
Counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases: Ada 1,291, Adams 9, Bannock 81, Benewah 13, Bingham 31, Blaine 513, Bonner 14, Bonneville 66, Camas 1, Canyon 435, Caribou 10, Cassia 156, Custer 2, Elmore 42, Franklin 21, Fremont 3, Gem 15, Gooding 51, Idaho 3, Jefferson 10, Jerome 195, Kootenai 133, Latah 8, Lemhi 2, Lincoln 32, Madison 21, Minidoka 113, Nez Perce 78, Owyhee 16, Payette 40, Power 15, Teton 13, Twin Falls 436, Valley 3 and Washington 86.
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, Twin Falls and Washington.
This story was originally published June 23, 2020 at 6:28 PM.
