Coronavirus: Analysis shows cases rise in areas that don’t require masks, like Idaho
Analysis from the Philadelphia Inquirer shows that in most states where masks aren’t required, like Idaho, new coronavirus cases have risen dramatically.
The newspaper’s analysis shows that Idaho, a state where masks are recommended by state officials but not required, reported 298 new cases between June 1-7. From June 15-21, the number of new cases reported was 612 — a 105% increase.
In other states, the increase is more dramatic. Oklahoma, for example, had a 254% increase during that same time frame, going from reporting 645 new cases between June 1-7 to reporting 2,284 new cases between June 15-21, according to the Inquirer’s reporting.
The article was released the same day that health officials around the country reported 36,880 new cases, according to The New York Times.
During a media roundtable Wednesday, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean told reporters that she would consider moving the city back to Stage 2 of the state’s reopening plan if necessary.
McLean also said that she could require masks to be worn in public if that would be the right decision. As of Thursday, officials recommend people to “strongly consider” wearing a mask, but no requirements are in place.
Idaho has seen a dramatic rise in cases over the past week, which featured two separate days where over 200 new cases were reported. As of Thursday morning, Idaho health officials have reported 4,172 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 90 deaths related to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Boise County reports first coronavirus case
Idaho has yet another county with at least one case of the coronavirus.
Boise County is the latest area of Idaho to report its first case. Boise County Emergency Management announced in a Facebook post Thursday morning that one person in the county had tested positive, and the family involved with the case is under self-quarantine as of Thursday morning.
With the addition of Boise County, 36 of Idaho’s 44 counties have at least one reported case of the coronavirus as of Thursday morning.
Over 200 new coronavirus cases reported in Idaho on Wednesday
Idaho health officials reported over 200 new cases of the coronavirus in a single day on Wednesday — for the second time this week.
In total, 214 newly confirmed cases were reported around Idaho on Wednesday, as well as the 90th death in the state. According to the Boise-based Central District Health, an Ada County man in his 70s died as a result of the coronavirus, which is the county’s 23rd coronavirus-related death.
Ada County also reported 89 confirmed cases, the second-most new cases in a single day.
Canyon County recorded a new high for cases in a day, as 54 confirmed COVID-19 cases were reported Wednesday. The county’s previous record was 30 in a day, and its total is now 489, which is the third-most in Idaho.
Up north, Kootenai County also recorded its highest single-day count for new cases — reporting 19 on Wednesday. The previous high was only 10, recorded back in late March. Health officials in North Idaho believe the rise in cases can be contributed to community spread.
Other counties around Idaho reported new cases Wednesday, including Bonneville, Caribou, Cassia, Custer, Payette, Twin Falls and Valley, among others.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported 20 new “probable cases” on Wednesday, bringing the total to 479.
In Idaho, there have been 4,173 confirmed cases of the coronavirus since the outbreak began in March. State health officials reported that 3,610 cases are “presumed recovered.”
Coronavirus cases have been reported in the majority of Idaho’s 44 counties: Ada 1,380, Adams 9, Bannock 81, Benewah 13, Bingham 31, Blaine 513, Boise 1, Bonner 18, Bonneville 72, Camas 1, Canyon 489, Caribou 13, Cassia 165, Custer 3, Elmore 45, Franklin 21, Fremont 3, Gem 15, Gooding 51, Idaho 3, Jefferson 10, Jerome 198, Kootenai 152, Latah 8, Lemhi 2, Lincoln 32, Madison 21, Minidoka 117, Nez Perce 79, Owyhee 16, Payette 48, Power 15, Teton 14, Twin Falls 443, Valley 4 and Washington 87.
Community spread has been detected in 26 Idaho 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, Twin Falls and Washington.
This story was originally published June 25, 2020 at 10:02 AM.
