COVID-19 syndrome hospitalizes 2 Idaho children; high school closed after positive case
Two Idaho children within the South Central Public Health District have confirmed cases of the Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome (MIS-C) associated with COVID-19.
Both children were hospitalized, according to a news release from Twin Falls-based SCPHD and St. Luke’s Health System. No other patient information was released.
MIS-C is a rare health condition that has affected some children and teenagers who have contracted COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says children with MIS-C may experience inflammation in the heart, lungs, brain, kidneys and other major organs. The cause of the condition is unknown.
“We are concerned that these exceptionally serious cases are occurring,” said Dr. Kenny Bramwell, medical director for St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital, in a news release. “We are fortunate to have experienced pediatric subspecialists available in our community to care for these children and keep them and their families close to home. Please continue to be vigilant about preventive measures. They do make a difference.”
MIS-C was first reported in the United States in May. A 7-year-old girl with no prior medical conditions became Idaho’s first confirmed case of MIS-C. The girl was admitted to St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital in Boise in mid-August. As of Sept. 3, the CDC has received reports of 792 confirmed cases of MIS-C and 16 deaths in 42 states.
“We are seeing more and more young people contract and spread COVID-19,” said Tanis Maxwell, SCPHD epidemiologist. “MIS-C is a complication from the disease that can cause serious health issues in our youngest Idahoans. Simple actions, like wearing a mask and social distancing, protect all of us. Including our children.”
Bonneville High closes due to coronavirus
Bonneville High School in Idaho Falls will be closed on Wednesday and Thursday after students were exposed to the coronavirus.
A student who was in attendance at the high school Tuesday tested positive for COVID-19, according to a post on the Bonneville Joint School District No. 93 website.
All extracurricular activities involving Bonneville students also will be suspended Wednesday and Thursday. The district says it plans to resume in-person learning on Friday.
BOISE SCHOOLS ADD TWO MORE COVID CASES
The Boise School District, which is hosting all of its classes online, reported two more coronavirus cases Tuesday.
It added another confirmed case to Borah High on its district website, giving Borah four confirmed cases since Aug. 17. Boise also reported a probable case at Whittier Elementary, its first case this school year.
The new cases give Boise 13 total COVID-19 cases since Aug. 17 — 11 confirmed and two probable.
Idaho’s 7-day case average rises
Idaho’s seven public health districts reported a combined 235 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and six additional deaths on Tuesday.
The state’s seven-day moving average of new confirmed and probable cases stands at 261 cases per day. One week ago, the seven-day average was at 247.6.
The latest deaths were in Ada (2 new, 142 total), Payette (2 new, 6 total), Canyon (1 new, 94 total) and Kootenai (1 new, 33 total) counties. Idaho has lost 425 residents to the virus since the start of the pandemic.
Ada County added the most cases statewide on Tuesday with 41 new confirmed cases for a total of 11,109. Bingham County wasn’t far behind with 40 new cases (753 total), and Madison (20 new, 310 total), Bonneville (19 new, 1,853 total), Twin Falls (15 new, 1,727 total), Bannock (14 cases, 848 total) and Minidoka (10 new, 554 total) counties each reported double-figure increases.
For the second time in the last three days, Canyon County announced a single-digit increase with seven new cases (7,282 total). The county’s seven-day case average is down to 24.7, down from a high of 170.4 on July 21.
The other counties with new confirmed cases Tuesday were Blaine (1 new, 596 total), Bonner (1 new, 249 total), Camas (4 new, 10 total), Caribou (6 new, 72 total), Cassia (6 new, 553 total), Clark (1 new, 22 total), Elmore (1 new, 253 total), Franklin (2 new, 75 total), Fremont (2 new, 127 total), Gem (2 new, 240 total), Idaho (7 new, 74 total), Jefferson (3 new, 361 total), Jerome (4 new, 610 total), Kootenai (4 new, 2,358 total), Latah (1 new, 278 total), Lincoln (1 new, 67 total), Nez Perce (5 new, 355 total), Owyhee (1 new, 292 total), Payette (7 new, 691 total), Power (9 new, 192 total), Shoshone (1 new, 209 total) and Washington (1 new, 300 total).
Eastern Idaho Public Health removed one case from Bear Lake (41 total).
Since the start of the pandemic, 33,311 Idahoans have tested positive for the coronavirus. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported 2,863 “probable” cases (61 new). Health and Welfare estimates that of those infected, 19,075 people are presumed recovered.
DAILY DETAILS
Overall hospitalizations: Health and Welfare reports that there have been 1,631 hospitalizations of people with COVID-19, 426 admissions to the ICU and 2,440 health care workers infected. Hospital and health care numbers are based on cases with completed investigations into contacts, not the full number of positives.
St. Luke’s Health System: As of Sept. 14, the health system was reporting 33 patients in its hospitals with confirmed COVID-19 out of 413 patients overall. The health system reported a 14-day coronavirus test positivity rate of 6%.
Saint Alphonsus Health System: As of Sept. 14, the health system was reporting 27 patients in its hospitals with confirmed COVID-19 out of 369 patients overall. The health system reported a 14-day coronavirus test positivity rate of 11.4%.
Boise School District: The district says the following schools have reported confirmed COVID-19 cases among students or staff since Aug. 17: Adams Elementary (2 cases), Boise Online School (1), Borah High (4), Hillcrest Elementary (1), Maple Grove Elementary (1), Roosevelt Elementary (1), West Junior High (1).
Testing totals: At the end of the day Tuesday, Health and Welfare reported that 278,779 tests had been completed statewide. About 11.9% of those have been positive for COVID-19.
Counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases: Ada 11,109, Adams 25, Bannock 848, Bear Lake 41, Benewah 127, Bingham 753, Blaine 596, Boise 52, Bonner 249, Bonneville 1,853, Boundary 46, Butte 29, Camas 10, Canyon 7,282, Caribou 72, Cassia 553, Clark 22, Clearwater 25, Custer 44, Elmore 253, Franklin 75, Fremont 127, Gem 240, Gooding 215, Idaho 74, Jefferson 361, Jerome 610, Kootenai 2,358, Latah 278, Lemhi 54, Lewis 11, Lincoln 67, Madison 310, Minidoka 554, Nez Perce 355, Oneida 19, Owyhee 292, Payette 691, Power 192, Shoshone 209, Teton 123, Twin Falls 1,727, Valley 80, Washington 300.
Counties with community spread: All counties except Adams, Butte and Franklin have been announced to have community spread.
This story was originally published September 15, 2020 at 5:58 PM.
