Ada County, Idaho post record coronavirus numbers; Washington County has first death
Ada County reported a record number of new confirmed cases of COVID-19 for the second time this week.
The state’s most populous county, which includes cities such as Boise, Meridian and Eagle, added 187 confirmed cases on Friday, according to Central District Health. That’s up from a record 138 cases on Monday.
Ada County’s record day resulted in a statewide record, too. The state’s seven health districts combined for a single-day high of 277 confirmed coronavirus cases, surpassing the previous high of 233 established on Thursday. Idaho’s 14-day moving average of new cases has climbed to 132.1 — up from 55.1 a week ago. That’s a 140% increase.
Southwest District Health announced the 91st coronavirus-related death in the state Friday and the first in Washington County. The individual was a male in his 60s with underlying health conditions and a confirmed COVID-19 infection. He was hospitalized at the time of his death, according to SWDH.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with this individual’s family and friends,” SWDH District Director Nikki Zogg said in a press release.
Central District Health has seen a significant increase in cases the last two weeks, forcing the district to revert Ada County back to Stage 3 of Gov. Brad Little’s Idaho Rebounds plan. Between Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley counties, CDH reported 93 confirmed cases Wednesday, 116 Thursday and 194 on Friday.
With probable cases included, the district has reported at least 100 cases for three straight days — which potentially opens the door for Central District Health to move Ada County to Stage 2. The Idaho Statesman has asked CDH whether probable cases are included in that calculation but hasn’t received a response.
Clearwater County became the third county in the state to confirm its first case of the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, according to a press release from the Idaho North Central public health district. Boise and Boundary counties reported their first cases Thursday. The Clearwater County case is an adult in their 20s, and the investigation into the source of transmission is in the preliminary stages. Clearwater County encompasses the cities of Orofino, Weippe, Pierce and Elk River.
“We have been fortunate that Clearwater County has had no confirmed cases thus far into the pandemic,” Idaho North Central Director Carol Moehrle said in a press release. “Now, more than ever, as we watch cases climb throughout the state, we need to be diligent about protecting our communities.”
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.
The other counties adding new confirmed cases on Friday were Bannock (2 new, 84 total), Bingham (6 new, 37 total), Canyon (42 new, 584 total), Caribou (1 new, 14 total), Cassia (2 new, 175 total), Elmore (3 new, 49 total), Franklin (1 new, 22 total), Jefferson (1 new, 12 total), Jerome (1 new, 199 total), Kootenai (4 new, 173 total), Latah (2 new, 11 total), Madison (1 new, 22 total), Minidoka (5 new, 127 total), Nez Perce (1 new, 80 total), Owyhee (1 new, 22 total), Payette (3 new, 55 total), Twin Falls (8 new, 459 total), Valley (4 new, 10 total) and Washington (1 new, 88 total).
Idaho has reported 4,682 confirmed cases statewide since the pandemic began.
There are 519 “probable cases” in the state, an increase of 20 from Thursday. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reports that 3,827 cases are “presumed recovered.”
DAILY DETAILS
Hospitalizations: Health and Welfare reports that there have been 309 hospitalizations due to the coronavirus, 108 admissions to the ICU and 468 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 Friday, Health and Welfare reported that 83,537 tests had been completed statewide. About 5.6% of those have been positive for COVID-19.
Counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases: Ada 1,679, Adams 9, Bannock 84, Benewah 13, Bingham 37, Blaine 517, Boise 1, Bonner 24, Bonneville 71, Boundary 1, Camas 1, Canyon 584, Caribou 14, Cassia 175, Clearwater 1, Custer 4, Elmore 49, Franklin 22, Fremont 4, Gem 16, Gooding 52, Idaho 3, Jefferson 12, Jerome 199, Kootenai 173, Latah 11, Lemhi 2, Lincoln 32, Madison 22, Minidoka 127, Nez Perce 80, Owyhee 22, Payette 55, Power 15, Teton 14, Twin Falls 459, Valley 10 and Washington 88.
Counties with community spread: Ada, Bannock, Benewah, Bingham, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Canyon, Caribou, Cassia, Custer, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Lemhi, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Power, Teton, Twin Falls, Valley and Washington.
This story was originally published June 26, 2020 at 5:16 PM.
