Idaho’s COVID-19 average increases for 11th day in a row; schools across state add cases
Idaho’s seven-day moving average of confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 reached 426.9 cases per day on Saturday — the 11th consecutive day with an increase.
The average was down to 231.9 less than two weeks ago and is now at its highest point since mid-August.
The Gem State reported 394 new confirmed cases and 50 new probable cases for a total of 444 new cases on Saturday. It marks the fifth time in the past six days that Idaho has added 400 or more in a single day.
There were two new deaths announced between Boise and Payette counties, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Updated demographics from Health and Welfare indicate the deaths were a man in his 60s and a man 80 or older. There have been 460 deaths statewide, with a case fatality rate of about 1.14%.
Ada County’s caseload increased by 95 confirmed cases to a state-high 11,708 overall. The county’s seven-day average increased to 56.0, up from 42.7 one week ago.
In addition to Ada County, 10 other counties added 10 or more cases: Canyon (37 new, 7,642 total), Madison (31 new, 591 total), Bonneville (28 new, 2,205 total), Twin Falls (26 new, 1,984 total), Kootenai (21 new, 2,629 total), Bingham (21 new, 905 total), Gem (15 new, 289 total), Cassia (15 new, 653 total), Bannock (14 new, 981 total) and Blaine (11 new, 634 total).
The remaining counties with new confirmed cases on Saturday were Benewah (1 new, 142 total), Boise (2 new, 55 total), Bonner (1 new, 300 total), Camas (4 new, 27 total), Caribou (1 new, 98 total), Clark (1 new, 28 total), Custer (1 new, 53 total), Franklin (6 new, 118 total), Fremont (4 new, 175 total), Gooding (2 new, 237 total), Idaho (1 new, 186 total), Jefferson (8 new, 462 total), Jerome (4 new, 662 total), Latah (1 new, 396 total), Lemhi (5 new, 73 total), Lewis (1 new, 15 total), Lincoln (2 new, 72 total), Minidoka (8 new, 621 total), Nez Perce (1 new, 403 total), Oneida (1 new, 24 total), Owyhee (4 new, 300 total), Payette (6 new, 759 total), Power (6 new, 232 total), Teton (5 new, 152 total) and Washington (4 new, 333 total).
Since the start of the pandemic, 36,898 Idahoans have tested positive for the coronavirus. Health and Welfare reported 3,575 “probable” cases (50 new). IDHW estimates that of those infected, 21,468 people are presumed recovered.
Note: The Idaho Statesman used updates from Health and Welfare, Southeastern Idaho Public Health and Eastern Idaho Public Health to determine Saturday’s case count.
Kuna, Coeur d’Alene schools report cases; Teton sees spike
In a weekly online update from the Kuna School District, Superintendent Wendy Johnson said three new confirmed cases of COVID-19 were discovered within the district.
The cases included two students and one employee, and Johnson said none of the cases could be traced to contracting the virus while at school. Two cases were reported at Kuna High School and one at Fremont Middle School.
▪ Teton School District 401 says there have been 11 positive cases of COVID-19 between students and staff members across the district since school started, according to a Facebook post from the district.
As of Friday, 77 students and staff are in quarantine, and the district said school principals are working with Eastern Idaho Public Health on contact tracing. Driggs Elementary has three classes in quarantine — two first-grade classes and one kindergarten class.
Because of the outbreak, TSD 401 says it “desperately” needs substitutes for staff members in quarantine.
▪ Two individuals at Coeur d’Alene High School have been diagnosed with COVID-19, according to a Facebook post from CDA Schools. Three other students who were in close contact with the individuals who tested positive have been notified to quarantine. The district says the high school has been “appropriately cleaned and disinfected and will remain open.”
DAILY DETAILS
Overall hospitalizations: Health and Welfare reports that there have been 1,811 hospitalizations of people with COVID-19, 451 admissions to the ICU and 2,711 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. 25, the health system was reporting 23 patients in its hospitals with confirmed COVID-19 out of 431 patients overall. The health system reported a 14-day coronavirus test positivity rate of 7%.
Saint Alphonsus Health System: As of Sept. 25, the health system was reporting 27 patients in its hospitals with confirmed COVID-19 out of 383 patients overall. The health system reported a 14-day coronavirus test positivity rate of 8.1%.
Boise School District: The district says the following schools or units have reported confirmed COVID-19 cases among students or staff since Sept. 22: Borah High School (2 cases), Boise Online school (1), Hawthorne Elementary (1) and Hillside Junior High (1).
Testing totals: At the end of the day Saturday, Health and Welfare reported that 301,206 people had been tested statewide. About 12.3% of those have been positive for COVID-19.
Counties with community spread: All counties except Adams, Butte and Franklin have been announced to have community spread.
Counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases: Ada 11,708, Adams 27, Bannock 981, Bear Lake 46, Benewah 142, Bingham 905, Blaine 634, Boise 55, Bonner 300, Bonneville 2,205, Boundary 47, Butte 31, Camas 27, Canyon 7,642, Caribou 98, Cassia 653, Clark 28, Clearwater 42, Custer 53, Elmore 263, Franklin 118, Fremont 175, Gem 289, Gooding 237, Idaho 187, Jefferson 462, Jerome 662, Kootenai 2,629, Latah 396, Lemhi 73, Lewis 15, Lincoln 72, Madison 591, Minidoka 621, Nez Perce 403, Oneida 24, Owyhee 300, Payette 759, Power 232, Shoshone 213, Teton 152, Twin Falls 1,984, Valley 84, Washington 333.
