Coronavirus: Payette requires masks in county buildings, prison COVID-19 cases spike
After reporting 33 new coronavirus cases over the weekend, Payette County will require masks and face coverings for employees and members of the public when inside a county-owned building.
In a news release Monday, the county announced that the mask requirement would go into effect on Tuesday, July 14. The decision was passed by the Payette County Board of County Commissioners. The county will work with Southwest District Health to determine the risk level in the county and make changes where officials see fit.
County officials said they have grown increasingly concerned with the spread of the coronavirus. Last week, the county revealed that an inmate in its jail had tested positive for COVID-19. At the time, the Payette County Sheriff’s Office said it was not sure how the person had contracted the virus, as they had been incarcerated since February.
The county emphasized that this order does not require masks in public, but said wearing masks inside the county buildings will allow government services to continue as needed.
Mass testing reveals hundreds of new coronavirus cases in Idaho prisons
The Idaho Department of Corrections revealed hundreds of new asymptomatic coronavirus cases in its prisons.
IDOC published updated numbers Monday night that showed a jump in positive tests among its incarcerated population. On Monday night, IDOC reported 641 asymptomatic positives, up from just 134 last Friday, which was the last time the numbers were updated.
The jump is due in large part to the mass testing of all inmates in the B and C Blocks of the Idaho State Correctional Center, where one of the first COVID-19 cases was found within Idaho prison walls.
IDOC also reported that 41 incarcerated people tested positive for the virus and are showing symptoms, up from 34 reported last Friday. The department is now showing a new category in its numbers — inactive cases — which stood at nine as of Monday evening. This metric shows how many people tested positive and were showing symptoms before they were either medically cleared or released from custody.
Over the weekend and Monday, IDOC reported only one new staff member had tested positive for the coronavirus, according to an update published Monday by director Josh Tewalt.
Boise Veterans Parade cancelled for 2020
Out of “an abundance of caution,” a popular Boise parade was cancelled for this year.
The Boise Veterans Parade, slated for Saturday, Nov. 7, will not take place this fall, according to event organizer Bill Shawver. In a tweet, Shawver said the event was cancelled due to the uncertainty surrounding the coronavirus.
“The safety of our participants, spectators and volunteers is critical. See you in 2021!” Shawver wrote in the tweet.
Panhandle Health wants providers to write orders for COVID-19 testing
Starting Tuesday, the Panhandle Health District will be writing orders for coronavirus tests only for those who are uninsured and do not have a primary care provider.
The health district announced Monday that people should use their primary care providers to order COVID-19 tests.
PHD said it will focus its resources on public health functions like contact tracing to try and slow the spread of the coronavirus.
Those who should be tested are people are showing symptoms of the virus or people who have been in close contact with a confirmed coronavirus patient.
Thousands of return to work bonuses sought in Idaho
Idaho Gov. Brad Little announced Monday that over 10,000 return-to-work bonuses were sought by nearly 2,000 businesses on the first day applications were opened.
The state set aside $100 million in CARES Act funding for the program, which gives one-time cash payouts of up to $1,500 for full-time workers and $750 for part-time workers who have returned to their workplace after being out of work due to the coronavirus. The funds will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
“The incredibly strong response from employers in our Return to Work Bonuses indicates businesses absolutely need this incentive in order to get their employees back to work,” Little said in a news release.
Employers apply for the bonuses on behalf of their workers. For eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit www.rebound.idaho.gov/return-to-work-bonuses.
Free legal clinic available to help businesses through pandemic
The Idaho Women’s Business Center is offering pro bono legal aid for small-business owners and nonprofits who need help navigating the coronavirus pandemic.
Businesses or nonprofits with 25 or fewer employees can schedule a free 45-minute consultation with attorneys who can answer legal questions, according to a news release from the center.
The state business group partnered with Idaho-based law firm Smith + Malek to provide the legal help for small businesses who need assistance in charting the path forward for their business.
To register, visit www.idahowomen.org/small-business-legal-clinic1.
Idaho tops 500 cases Monday
For the second time in three days, health officials around Idaho reported over 500 new cases of the coronavirus.
On Monday, the state reported a record 509 new cases, breaking the previous record of 506, which was set Saturday.
Ada County again had the most new cases, reporting 285, a new record for the county. Monday was the 11th straight day Ada reported more than 100 new cases. In total, the county has 4,212 confirmed cases.
Multiple counties around Idaho reported double-digit numbers of new cases Monday, including Bingham (11), Bonner (11), Bonneville (10), Canyon (72), Jefferson (15), Jerome (12), Kootenai (31), Madison (25) and Twin Falls (19).
Idaho now has 10,707 confirmed cases across the state. No new deaths were reported Monday, and the state’s death total remains at 102. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported there are 744 “probable cases” throughout the state.
Coronavirus cases have been reported in the majority of Idaho’s 44 counties: Ada 4,212, Adams 11, Bannock 153, Bear Lake 4, Benewah 22, Bingham 96, Blaine 537, Boise 9, Bonner 78, Bonneville 169, Boundary 7, Camas 1, Canyon 2,086, Caribou 19, Cassia 291, Clearwater 5, Custer 6, Elmore 99, Franklin 30, Fremont 10, Gem 61, Gooding 72, Idaho 13, Jefferson 36, Jerome 276, Kootenai 736, Latah 31, Lemhi 3, Lincoln 37, Madison 76, Minidoka 243, Nez Perce 99, Oneida 8, Owyhee 84, Payette 169, Power 19, Shoshone 9, Teton 37, Twin Falls 745, Valley 26, and Washington 122.
Community spread has been found in 35 Idaho counties: Ada, Bannock, Benewah, Bingham, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Canyon, Caribou, Cassia, Clearwater, Custer, Elmore, Fremont, Gem, Gooding, Idaho, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Nez Perce, Oneida, Owyhee, Payette, Power, Teton, Twin Falls, Valley and Washington.
This story was originally published July 14, 2020 at 10:56 AM.
