This article was originally published by Jacob Scholl in the Idaho Statesman.
Health officials in North Idaho say there has been a coronavirus-related death in Boundary County, the far-north county’s first death.
According to a news release from the Panhandle Health District, a man in his 70s is the first Boundary County resident to die related to COVID-19.
The man was hospitalized due to complications from the virus at the time of his death.
“Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones during this difficult time,” said Lora Whalen, PHD Director, in the news release.
As of Wednesday, 27 coronavirus deaths have been reported in Kootenai County, one in Benewah County and 11 in Shoshone County in North Idaho.
Panhandle Health District officials urged all residents to take precautions to help slow the spread of the virus, including wearing masks, practicing good hygiene and staying home if you are sick.
IDAHO MATCHES HIGH FOR SINGLE-DAY COVID DEATHS
Local health officials in Idaho reported 13 new coronavirus deaths on Tuesday, which matched the single-day record set on July 31.
Canyon County reported five deaths, and its total is now 70. Ada and Cassia counties each reported two deaths, and the counties’ totals now stand at 113 and three, respectively.
Four counties reported one death apiece Tuesday: Bingham (5 deaths overall), Bonneville (8), Kootenai (27) and Twin Falls (34).
In total, Idaho has 328 deaths relating to the coronavirus. The case fatality rate is around 1.07%. Of those deaths, 135 have been reported in August after cases peaked in July.
The state’s 14-day moving average for new cases has declined for the past 11 days. As of Tuesday night, the state’s moving 14-day average was 349.8 per day. That average peaked on July 22 at 521.5.
Idaho’s seven health districts reported 334 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday. The state’s overall count for confirmed cases of coronavirus is 28,398.
Ada County reported 67 new cases on Tuesday, bringing its total to 10,088. Canyon County was close behind, reporting 65 new cases and upping its total case count to 6,537.
Numerous other Idaho counties reported double-digit new cases of COVID-19, including Kootenai (32 new), Latah (23), Nez Perce (17), Bonneville (13), Minidoka (12), Benewah (11), and Jefferson (10).
Of those confirmed to have the coronavirus, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reports that 13,353 have recovered. IDHW also reported 62 new “probable cases,” increasing the total to 2,143.
As of Tuesday, IDHW reports that 249,719 coronavirus tests have been conducted in Idaho, with around 11.7% of tests returning positive.
Coronavirus cases have been confirmed in all of Idaho’s 44 counties: Ada 10,088, Adams 24, Bannock 575, Bear Lake 37, Benewah 101, Bingham 403, Blaine 578, Boise 46, Bonner 204, Bonneville 1,305, Boundary 42, Butte 4, Camas 2, Canyon 6,537, Caribou 33, Cassia 520, Clark 15, Clearwater 20, Custer 17, Elmore 223, Franklin 49, Fremont 90, Gem 184, Gooding 181, Idaho 39, Jefferson 276, Jerome 512, Kootenai 2,090, Latah 206, Lemhi 50, Lewis 8, Lincoln 57, Madison 180, Minidoka 503, Nez Perce 239, Oneida 17, Owyhee 264, Payette 512, Power 107, Shoshone 190, Teton 104, Twin Falls 1,448, Valley 75 and Washington 243.
Community spread has been reported in the majority of Idaho counties: Ada, Bannock, Bear Lake, Benewah, Bingham, Blaine, Boise, Bonner, Bonneville, Boundary, Canyon, Caribou, Cassia, Clark, Clearwater, Custer, Elmore, Fremont, Gem, Gooding, Idaho, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Lewis, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Nez Perce, Oneida, Owyhee, Payette, Power, Shoshone, Teton, Twin Falls, Valley and Washington.
