This article was originally published by Jacob Scholl in the Idaho Statesman.
The Idaho Department of Correction has released the identity of an incarcerated man who died from the coronavirus at a Boise hospital last month.
Randall Mark Osterhout, 64, died at around 9:30 p.m. Aug. 30 at a Boise hospital after he was diagnosed with COVID-19, according to an email sent Tuesday from IDOC spokesperson Jeff Ray. Osterhout was incarcerated at the Idaho State Correctional Center in Kuna before he was taken to a hospital for treatment on Aug. 14.
Osterhout is the second Idaho prison inmate to die after testing positive for the coronavirus.
The first man in prison custody to die was 66-year-old Frank Dawson Conover, who died on July 29. Dawson was also incarcerated at the ISCC when he contracted the virus.
ISCC, a 2,128-bed men’s prison located in Kuna, was the first Idaho prison with a confirmed case among inmates, which was first reported in June.
IDAHO FOODBANK TO HOST ONLINE FUNDRAISER FOR SCHOOL PROGRAMS
The Idaho Foodbank is set to host a virtual telethon to raise money for school food programs around the state.
The “Back to School” telethon will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, and will be streamed live on Facebook and YouTube, according to an news release from the food bank.
A number of local and national acts will appear during the telethon, which will raise money for the food bank throughout the day Thursday. The event will be held predominantly online due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.
Funds raised will go toward services that will provide food for children and ensure kids will have much-needed access to nutritional meals. One program, named the Backpack Program, gives out packs to children every Friday with enough meals to feed the child throughout the weekend.
“Social distancing has radically changed our approach to fundraising. In the past few months we have gone from in person events to a more digital experience. As such we are so excited to produce this cutting edge and entertaining extravaganza to showcase not only local talent but the impact that local giving can have on food security in Idaho,” said Karen Vauk, president and CEO of The Idaho Foodbank, in a news release.
To donate, view a full list of performers or to watch, go to www.backtoschooltelethon.com.
DETAILS RELEASED ON FIRST ADAMS COUNTY CORONAVIRUS DEATH
Health officials with Southwest District Health released more information regarding the first coronavirus-related death in Adams County, which was first disclosed Friday.
The deceased was a man in his 70s who had underlying health complications, according to a news release published Wednesday from SWDH. The man was hospitalized at the time of his death.
“Our thoughts and sympathies are with those impacted by these recent COVID-19 deaths,” said SWDH Director Nikki Zogg in the news release.
The Caldwell-based Southwest District Health covers six counties — Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette and Washington. As of Wednesday, the district has reported 101 COVID-19-related deaths.
EMMETT SCHOOLS WILL CONTINUE WITH FULLY IN-PERSON CLASSES
The Emmett School District will continue having in-person classes, according to a news release from the district.
The school district moved into the “yellow” category starting Wednesday, meaning classes will take place fully in-person starting then. In a news release Wednesday morning, the district said it will continue with face-to-face learning after consulting with Southwest District Health and district Superintendent Craig Woods.
According to Emmett schools, the district’s board will review statistics on a weekly basis to see how the school will operate the following week.
As of Wednesday, there was one confirmed case within the Emmett School District, as a staff member tested positive on Sept. 2. The district also has four probable cases, split evenly between Emmett High School and Shadow Butte Elementary.
“Our staff has done an excellent job trying to keep our schools COVID free,” Woods said in the news release. “We take this very seriously and constantly remind staff, students and parents about the importance of prevention. We want to keep our students in school with their teachers.”
4 DEATHS, OVER 250 COVID CASES REPORTED TUESDAY IN IDAHO
Health officials around Idaho reported four new coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday, as well as 263 new COVID-19 cases.
One death involved a Bonneville County woman in her 30s, according to Eastern Idaho Public Health. The death marked the second in Idaho involving a person in their 30s.
Another death was said to be that of a man in his 60s who lived in Bingham County, according to Southeastern Idaho Public Health. The other two deaths were reported in Kootenai and Ada counties.
Idaho’s coronavirus death total is now at 390 as of Tuesday. One death in Bonneville County was removed from Eastern Idaho Public Health’s totals after the health district reported a data error. The Statesman’s totals have since been updated.
In addition to the deaths, Idaho health officials reported 263 new confirmed coronavirus cases on Tuesday. Idaho now has 31,809 confirmed cases of the virus as of Tuesday.
Ada County reported 40 new cases Tuesday, bringing its total to 10,867 as of Tuesday. Behind Ada was Canyon County, which reported 29 new cases. Its total is now 7,109 confirmed cases.
Other counties reporting double-digit cases include Bannock (21 new), Bingham (35), Bonneville (18), Power (11), Nez Perce (23), Latah (10) and Kootenai (15).
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 42 new “probable” cases to its total, which is now 2,538 as of Tuesday. Of those infected with the virus, IDHW says 16,956 are presumed to have recovered. The state agency also reports that 267,996 coronavirus tests have been taken, and around 11.9% of tests have returned positive.
All of Idaho’s 44 counties have reported cases of the coronavirus: Ada 10,867, Adams 24, Bannock 781, Bear Lake 40, Benewah 122, Bingham 648, Blaine 589, Boise 50, Bonner 223, Bonneville 1,648, Boundary 45, Butte 28, Camas 3, Canyon 7,109, Caribou 47, Cassia 537, Clark 18, Clearwater 25, Custer 35, Elmore 245, Franklin 61, Fremont 111, Gem 219, Gooding 209, Idaho 49, Jefferson 322, Jerome 577, Kootenai 2,266, Latah 257, Lemhi 53, Lewis 8, Lincoln 60, Madison 236, Minidoka 535, Nez Perce 322, Oneida 19, Owyhee 287, Payette 656, Power 166, Shoshone 203, Teton 118, Twin Falls 1,625, Valley 80, Washington 286.
Most Idaho counties have reported cases of community spread, with the exceptions of Adams, Butte, Camas and Franklin counties.
