BOISE, Idaho — This article was orignially published by Ximena Bustillo and Rachel Roberts of the Idaho Statesman.
Boise-based Central District Health announced 38 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Ada County and one additional case in Elmore County on Saturday.
Caribou County, which includes Soda Springs and Grace, reported its first case of coronavirus on Saturday, according to a Southeastern Idaho Public Health press release. The individual is a female in her 50s who is recovering at home. The case appears to be travel related, SIPH said.
That brings the statewide total of COVID-19 cases to 1,024. Ada has 360 cases and Elmore, which includes Mountain Home, is up to 10. CDH and SIPH were the only health districts to provide updates as of Saturday afternoon. Idaho has seven health districts in total.
Health officials have reported 10 deaths in the state connected to COVID-19 in six counties: Ada, Canyon, Blaine, Cassia, Nez Perce and Twin Falls.
Cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in 31 of Idaho’s 44 counties: Ada, Adams, Bannock, Bingham, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Camas, Canyon, Caribou, Cassia, Custer, Elmore, Fremont, Gem, Gooding, Idaho, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Latah, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Nez Perce, Owyhee, Payette, Teton, Twin Falls, Valley and Washington.
Idaho has confirmed community spread in 12 counties: Ada, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Jefferson, Kootenai, Madison, Teton and Twin Falls.
Health and Welfare reported 8,870 tests had been completed statewide at the end of the day Friday. About 11.1% have been positive for COVID-19. Idaho’s positive testing percentage has increased from 6.3% to 11.1% since March 28.
Cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in 31 of Idaho’s 44 counties: Ada, Adams, Bannock, Bingham, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Camas, Canyon, Caribou, Cassia, Custer, Elmore, Fremont, Gem, Gooding, Idaho, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Latah, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Nez Perce, Owyhee, Payette, Teton, Twin Falls, Valley and Washington.
Idaho has confirmed community spread in 12 counties: Ada, Bingham, Blaine, Bonneville, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Jefferson, Kootenai, Madison, Teton and Twin Falls.
Health and Welfare reported 8,870 tests had been completed statewide at the end of the day Friday. About 11.1% have been positive for COVID-19. Idaho’s positive testing percentage has increased from 6.3% to 11.1% since March 28.
FISH AND GAME SUSPENDS NONRESIDENT PERMIT SALES
TheIdaho Fish and Game Commission held an emergency special public meeting via teleconference on Saturday where it unanimously voted to temporarily suspend the sale of several types of nonresident fishing and hunting licenses, tags and permits.
Fish and Game has continued to operate over the last few weeks, providing services by appointment. However, officials are concerned that those living in neighboring states that have closed fishing and hunting sites would come to Idaho.
The temporary rule is effective immediately and coincides with Gov. Brad Little’s stay-home order aimed at slowing the spread of the coronavirus.
Deputy Attorney General Kathleen Trevor read the rule, which mentioned an exclusion for nonresidents who live in Idaho and who would already be allowed to obtain a license, tag or hunting passport. This also does not affect the hunting, fishing and trapping seasons, which remain in effect, for nonresidents who have already purchased these licenses and permits.
Nonresidents can still apply for deer tags, elk tags and control hunts since those will not start until late October, and officials hope the situation will be better by then.
The commission’s action also does not affect Idaho residents, and there are no new limitations on resident purchase of licenses, tags and permits or any changes to existing seasons.
PAYETTE NATIONAL FOREST CLOSES SOME SECTIONS
The Payette National Forest announced Friday night that it will suspend access to the waters within the boundaries of the Lower South Fork of the Salmon River, effective immediately until June 30.
This is an effort to continue to promote social distancing among Idahoans, stop community spread and discourage discretionary travel, Payette National Forest said in a press release.
The areas under the closure order provide access to recreational float boating opportunities within the Payette National Forest, and create a high probability of congregating groups of 10 or more individuals, thus creating a concern about the ability of recreationists to practice social distancing at these sites, the Forest Service said.
The Forest Service also issued temporary closures on the Main Salmon River and Middle Fork Salmon River to float boat uses.
UNITED WAY RAISES $1 MILLIONThe COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund for Idaho from United Way has reached more than $1 million in commitments from foundations, companies and individuals throughout the state.
Grants will go out next week to Idaho organizations helping individuals and families. Grants will go out every week in April. The first round of funding will go to organizations that focus on: Housing stability and services for people on the verge of homelessness; physical and mental health care; food insecurity; domestic violence support; and childcare.
