Idaho’s daily average of new COVID-19 cases nearing 500 — a mark last seen in July
Only three of Idaho’s seven public health districts reported changes in their confirmed COVID-19 cases Sunday, according to an update from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Central District Health, South Central Public Health District and Eastern Idaho Public Health showed a combined 223 new confirmed and 34 new probable cases between 14 counties. Despite the likely possibility that Sunday’s total of 257 new cases is artificially low, Idaho’s seven-day moving average increased to 490.4 cases per day — its highest point since July 31 (500.4).
There also were two new coronavirus-related deaths announced in Ada (1 new, 151 total) and Canyon (1 new, 103 total) counties. Updated demographics from Health and Welfare indicate the individuals were in their 70s. Idaho has lost 482 residents to the virus with a case fatality rate of about 1.10%.
Ada County experienced the largest caseload gain with 80 new confirmed cases for a total of 12,326 overall. The county’s seven-day average climbed to 83.6 cases per day, a mark that had not been eclipsed since Aug. 26 (84.3).
Eastern Idaho Public Health reported a combined 121 new confirmed cases led by Madison (54 new, 879 total) and Bonneville (45 new, 2,430 total) counties.
The other counties adding new confirmed cases Sunday were Cassia (4 new, 725 total), Clark (1 new, 32 total), Elmore (1 new, 295 total), Fremont (5 new, 238 total), Gooding (1 new, 273 total), Jefferson (15 new, 537 total), Jerome (4 new, 711 total), Lemhi (1 new, 88 total), Minidoka (3 new, 694 total), Twin Falls (8 new, 2,231 total) and Valley (1 new, 90 total).
Since the start of the pandemic, 39,845 Idahoans have tested positive for the coronavirus. Health and Welfare reported 4,242 “probable” cases (34 new). IDHW estimates that of those infected, 22,930 people are presumed recovered.
DAILY DETAILS
Overall hospitalizations: Health and Welfare reports that there have been 1,903 hospitalizations of people with COVID-19, 466 admissions to the ICU and 2,933 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 Oct. 3, the health system was reporting 31 patients in its hospitals with confirmed COVID-19 out of 362 patients overall. The health system reported a 14-day coronavirus test positivity rate of 9%.
Saint Alphonsus Health System: As of Oct. 3, the health system was reporting 24 patients in its hospitals with confirmed COVID-19 out of 321 patients overall. The health system reported a 14-day coronavirus test positivity rate of 8.6%.
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), Dennis Technical Education Center (1), Hawthorne Elementary (1), Hillside Junior High (2), Shadow Hills Elementary (1).
Testing totals: At the end of the day Sunday, Health and Welfare reported that 318,167 people had been tested statewide. About 12.5% of those have been positive for COVID-19.
Counties with community spread: All counties except Adams have been announced to have community spread.
Counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases: Ada 12,326, Adams 27, Bannock 1,124, Bear Lake 51, Benewah 149, Bingham 971, Blaine 665, Boise 58, Bonner 332, Bonneville 2,430, Boundary 49, Butte 43, Camas 30, Canyon 7,863, Caribou 113, Cassia 725, Clark 32, Clearwater 58, Custer 64, Elmore 295, Franklin 155, Fremont 238, Gem 304, Gooding 273, Idaho 208, Jefferson 537, Jerome 711, Kootenai 2,778, Latah 556, Lemhi 88, Lewis 36, Lincoln 76, Madison 879, Minidoka 694, Nez Perce 434, Oneida 26, Owyhee 304, Payette 817, Power 256, Shoshone 215, Teton 179, Twin Falls 2,231, Valley 90, Washington 355.
This story was originally published October 4, 2020 at 6:20 PM.
