COVID: Drive-thru flu shots in Meridian this Saturday; over 500 new cases Wednesday
Get Immunized, Idaho is set to host a clinic offering drive-thru flu shots this Saturday in Meridian.
The drive-thru clinic will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Idaho State University - Meridian, in the campus’ rear parking lot at 1307 E. Central Drive, according to a news release from Get Immunized, Idaho. The clinic is the result of a partnership between the organization and ISU-Meridian.
Anyone six months or older can get a flu shot at the clinic; the organization says insurers will be billed when applicable.
“We are in the middle of a pandemic and staying as healthy as possible is more important than ever,” said Karen Sharpnack — executive director of the Idaho Immunization Coalition, which oversees Get Immunized, Idaho — in a news release. “This clinic is an easy and free way for people to protect themselves, their families, and their communities from the flu. We hope to see a lot of people there.”
The need for getting flu shots sooner rather than later has been stressed by Idaho Gov. Brad Little and other state officials, as flu season takes up health care resources in typical years. A large flu season coupled with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic would spell trouble for health care systems, making the need for flu immunizations all the more important this year.
Over 500 coronavirus cases, 3 deaths reported Wednesday in Idaho
Idaho’s seven health districts reported a total of 516 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday. With the addition of 127 new “probable” cases to make a single-day increase of 643, Wednesday marked the fifth-highest new case count in a single day since the pandemic began.
The state’s seven-day moving average rose for the 15th straight day, as it now stands at 485.4. On Sept. 9, that average was just 233.9 new cases a day.
In addition to the rising case count, Idaho health districts also reported three new deaths on Wednesday. Single deaths were found in Ada, Canyon and Twin Falls counties, and all involved men ages 70 or older, according to demographics from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
As of Wednesday, 469 Idahoans have died as a result of the coronavirus, which causes the COVID-19 respiratory disease.
Ada County reported the most new cases on Wednesday, adding 86 confirmed cases to its total, which is now 11,955. Canyon County added 54 new cases Wednesday, and its total now sits at 7,779.
Latah County, home to Moscow and the University of Idaho, reported 63 new cases, a single-day record for the county. Numerous counties around Idaho reported double-digit new case totals Wednesday, including the following counties: Twin Falls (63 new), Kootenai (30), Bonneville (30), Bannock (29), Madison (26), Payette (16), Elmore (13), Jefferson (13) and Jerome (11).
There are 38,415 confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Idaho as of Wednesday. IDHW says there are 3,862 “probable” cases in the state with the addition of 127 cases on Wednesday. Of those confirmed to have the virus, IDHW estimates 22,180 are presumed to be recovered.
As of Wednesday, 309,156 coronavirus tests have been taken in Idaho, with around 12.4% of tests returning positive, according to IDHW.
Coronavirus cases have been found in all of Idaho’s 44 counties: Ada 11,955, Adams 28, Bannock 1,056, Bear Lake 47, Benewah 148, Bingham 941, Blaine 653, Boise 54, Bonner 317, Bonneville 2,308, Boundary 48, Butte 37, Camas 30, Canyon 7,779, Caribou 103, Cassia 688, Clark 30, Clearwater 47, Custer 63, Elmore 287, Franklin 132, Fremont 189, Gem 299, Gooding 253, Idaho 197, Jefferson 503, Jerome 692, Kootenai 2,714, Latah 521, Lemhi 84, Lewis 34, Lincoln 73, Madison 712, Minidoka 655, Nez Perce 426, Oneida 25, Owyhee 303, Payette 792, Power 248, Shoshone 214, Teton 168, Twin Falls 2,130, Valley 89, Washington 343.
Community spread has been detected in all Idaho counties except three: Adams, Butte and Franklin counties.
This story was originally published October 1, 2020 at 9:43 AM.
