This article was originally published by Rachel Roberts of the Idaho Statesman.
It had been more than two months since Idaho reported 100 confirmed coronavirus cases in a single day.
But that streak ended Thursday when the state’s seven health districts announced a combined 102 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, which is the most since 114 confirmed cases were added on April 3.
Ada County accounted for exactly half of the new cases with 51, according to Boise-based Central District Health. It is also the most cases in Ada County since 63 were reported on April 4.
The other counties adding new cases Thursday were Bannock (6 new, 72 total), Power (6 new, 13 total), Blaine (2 new, 506 total), Bonner (1 new, 11 total), Bonneville (1 new, 59 total), Canyon (6 new, 346 total), Cassia (8 new, 139 total), Jerome (1 new, 185 total), Kootenai (2 new, 107 total), Minidoka (3 new, 94 total), Payette (2 new, 28 total), Teton (1 new, 12 total), Twin Falls (3 new, 419 total) and Washington (9 new, 70 total). The statewide total of confirmed cases stands at 3,357.
There are 389 “probable cases” in the state, an increase of 15 from Wednesday. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reports that 3,088 cases are “presumed recovered.”
Washington County became the 26th county in the state with community spread, Southwest District Health announced Thursday. The county saw a “sharp” increase in cases in May which were all connected to known clusters of cases at workplaces and family events. However, the county’s most recent case was determined to be the result of community transmission.
“The risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19 is increasing in Washington County,” Southwest District Health District Director Nikki Zogg said in a press release. “Please do your part to help slow the spread of the virus.”
Health and Welfare has recorded increased testing numbers over the last three weeks, peaking at 10,533 tests during the week of May 24-30. For June 7-13, which is the most recent week on IDHW’s data dashboard, there were 6,974 tests conducted with a positivity rate of 2.3%.
YOUNG ADULTS MOST-INFECTED IN SOUTH CENTRAL IDAHO
The South Central Public Health District says residents between the ages of 18 and 39 account for the largest percentage of COVID-19 infections in the region, which encompasses the counties of Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls.
Individuals ages 18-29 make up 21.54% of the region’s coronavirus infections, and individuals 30-39 are the second-largest group at 18.07%.
“These are often the people we see working in our essential jobs,” SCPHD Public Health Division Director Logan Hudson said in a press release. “They are exposed to hundreds of people every day, which puts them at greater risk of contracting COVID-19. We can protect them by wearing masks and urging the people around us to practice social distancing.”
SCPHD is urging all residents to avoid areas, events and businesses that don’t prioritize their health.
“We are also calling on our young adults to be extra careful with their health. They are less likely to die from COVID-19, but that doesn’t mean they can’t get very sick. Cases of stroke, blood clots leading to amputation, and more severe symptoms have been reported in previously healthy and young people,” SCPHD Director Melody Bowyer said in a press release.
“If you contract COVID-19, there is also the possibility of unintentionally passing the disease on to someone who won’t fare as well, like a grandparent or loved one with a compromised immune system.”
DAILY DETAILS
Hospitalizations: Health and Welfare reports that there have been 278 hospitalizations due to the coronavirus, 101 admissions to the ICU and 390 health care workers who have been infected. The hospital and health care numbers are based on cases with completed investigations into contacts, not the full number of positives.
Testing totals: At the end of the day Thursday, Health and Welfare reported that 69,156 tests had been completed statewide. About 4.85% of those have been positive for COVID-19.
Counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases: Ada 963, Adams 8, Bannock 72, Benewah 12, Bingham 26, Blaine 506, Bonner 11, Bonneville 59, Camas 1, Canyon 346, Caribou 6, Cassia 139, Custer 2, Elmore 36, Franklin 17, Fremont 3, Gem 13, Gooding 50, Idaho 3, Jefferson 8, Jerome 185, Kootenai 107, Latah 7, Lemhi 2, Lincoln 31, Madison 20, Minidoka 94, Nez Perce 75, Owyhee 10, Payette 28, Power 13, Teton 12, Twin Falls 419, Valley 3 and Washington 70.
Counties with community spread: Ada, Bannock, Benewah, Bingham, Blaine, Bonner, Bonneville, Canyon, Caribou, Cassia, Elmore, Gem, Gooding, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Lemhi, Lincoln, Madison, Minidoka, Owyhee, Payette, Power, Teton, Twin Falls and Washington.
