BOISE, Idaho — For the latest Idaho coronavirus updates, click here.
We're closely tracking Idaho's number of deaths and cases of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, as well as what's happening as Idaho reopens. Scroll down to see our live updates from each day.
We have multiple graphs and timelines looking at the coronavirus case trends in Idaho, including a new graph showing a 14-day average that the State of Idaho has been tracking to determine the appropriate reopening stage.
Friday, July 24
7:32 p.m.- Idaho adds 509 new confirmed cases, about 200 new recoveries
After a delay in the state releasing new COVID-19 statistics, KTVB's coronavirus case tracking now shows the Gem State added 509 confirmed and 26 probable cases on Friday.
Idaho now has 5,251 recoveries, up from 5,008 reported on Thursday. Four new deaths were reported, bringing the state's death toll from COVID-19 to 144.
1:06 p.m.- Boise School District extends online registration deadline
Boise School District originally set the deadline to enroll students in online classes as July 31. However, the district tweeted on Friday that parents could enroll their students after the July 31 deadline by contacting your child's school.
Thursday, July 23
9:50 p.m. - In case you missed it:
- Jury trials in Idaho's Fourth Judicial District suspended for the month of August
- Idaho Rep. Tammy Nichols discusses Facebook post regarding death of Caldwell nurse practitioner
- 'You simply don't care about my friends and students': Former Borah High teacher calls out Boise School District's reopening plan
- Southwest District Health board votes to recommend coronavirus strategies
- Boise School Board plans to make decision regarding school starting in early August
- Idaho again to be held in Stage 4 as coronavirus rates soar
- Hundreds turn out for food giveaway program at Expo Idaho
- 40% of Idahoans are not financially stable, report concludes
5:40 p.m. - 402 new confirmed cases statewide; 4 additional deaths reported in the Treasure Valley
The state of Idaho and local health districts on Thursday reported 402 new confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide, bringing the total since the beginning of the pandemic to 15,770 confirmed cases. An additional 29 probable cases were also reported on Thursday.
Ada County (170) had the most cases, followed by Canyon County (84) and Kootenai County (44).
Four additional deaths were also confirmed on Thursday. Three of them were in Ada County, and one was is Canyon County. The statewide death toll due to the coronavirus now stands at 140.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare released new hospitalization data, current as of July 20. According to IDHW, 204 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 throughout the state. 46 of them were in the ICU.
In a bit of good news, the number of available hospital beds increased from 74 to 126 on Thursday.
According to the state, 5,008 people have recovered from the virus.
For a closer look at coronavirus numbers statewide, with county-by-county breakdowns and trends, check out our interactive map and timelines.
1:42 p.m. - American Cancer Society's Relay for Life event goes virtual amid coronavirus pandemic
Relay for Life of Ada County will take place on August 8, 2020, as a virtual online event.
"During this difficult time, cancer won't stop, and neither will we," said event co-lead Whitney Stoolman. "Even though we cannot currently be face-to-face, we're committed to continuing to fight cancer head-on and hope that you will stand together with us, even when we're apart."
You can visit the Relay for Life website for more information about the event and how to sign up.
12:53 p.m.- Southwest District Health board votes to recommend coronavirus strategies, says recommendations are not mandatory
Southwest District Health Board voted Thursday to recommend a series of actions including social distancing and face-coverings to try to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Board commissioners added that these recommendations are not mandatory and cannot be enforced.
The recommendations include wearing face coverings in public when physical distancing is not possible, limiting the density of people at events to one person per 64 square feet of space, and suspending visitation to older adult living and correctional facilities when COVID-19 is detected in the facility.
Read the full story here.
9:00 a.m.- Idaho will remain in Stage 4 as coronavirus rates soar statewide
Idaho Gov. Brad Little announced on Thursday that Idaho will remain in Stage 4 of Idaho's rebound plan for at least two more weeks. The announcement was made during a press conference at Central District Health.
Little said increased spread is being seen in Ada, Canyon, Twin Falls, Bonneville and Kootenai Counties. He stated that the dramatic increase is very concerning.
"The one thing that will dramatically slow the spread of coronavirus is for every single one of us to wear a mask. I couldn't agree more with President Trump: Wearing a mask is the patriotic thing to do," he said. "Wear a mask to protect lives."
Read the full story here. You can watch the full press conference here.
7:20 a.m. - Gov. Little to hold press conference Thursday
Idaho Gov. Brad Little will hold a press conference about the state's next move in the fight against coronavirus Thursday morning.
The press conference will be held at 9 a.m. at Central District Health.
Little is expected to announce whether Idaho will remain in Stage 4, move backwards to a previous stage, or move ahead to fewer restrictions.
Wednesday, July 22
9:28 p.m. - In case you missed it:
- Idaho faces a shortage of nurses, health care professionals during coronavirus pandemic
- Malheur County could be moved back in Oregon's coronavirus re-opening plan
- Boise mayor talks mask mandate, recall efforts against her in listening session
- Caldwell School District announces plans for reopening in the fall
- Idaho nonprofit works to provide computers, laptops to students in need for upcoming school year
- Reclaim Idaho asks Supreme Court to allow online initiative signatures
5:22 p.m. - Nine additional deaths reported on Wednesday, biggest single-day increase
The state of Idaho and local health districts on Wednesday reported nine additional deaths related to COVID-19. It is the largest single-day increase in the death toll since the pandemic began.
Five of the deaths were in Ada County, two were in Canyon County and one each in Twin Falls and Blaine counties.
Idaho's death toll due to the coronavirus now stands at 136.
Statewide, there were 473 new confirmed cases and 39 new probable cases, bringing the confirmed total case count to 15,368.
Ada County was the overwhelming hot spot once again on Wednesday with 243 new cases. Canyon County had 92, while Kootenai County had 56.
New testing data provided on Wednesday for the week of July 12 - July 18 shows the positivity rate dropped from 14.9% to 13.0%. However, the total number of tests dropped to its lowest total in a month. 17,149 tests were performed last week, compared to 24,719 tests the week before.
New hospitalization data was not updated on Wednesday, but the state shows 74 ICU beds available. That's the lowest number of available ICU beds since April 20 when there were 71 available.
According to data provided by the state, 4,746 people have recovered from the virus.
For a closer look at coronavirus numbers statewide, with county-by-county breakdowns and trends, check out our interactive map and timelines.
4:50 p.m. - Waterslide at Eagle Island closed for the rest of the year due to COVID-19 concerns
Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation announced that the waterslide at Eagle Island State Park will close for the remainder of the 2020 season effective Thursday.
"For the health and safety of staff and visitors, we've decided to close down the waterslide," said Park Manager, Gary Shelley. "Between seasonal staff leaving early and the complications surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, it is a hard decision, but the right one."
The rest of the park activities will remain open for the remainder of the season.
3:30 p.m. -- Art in the Park will not take place in Julia Davis Park in 2020
The Boise Art Museum has announced that Art in the Park is moving to an online marketplace.
Out of deep concern for the community, organizers said that the Boise Art Museum's 66th annual Art in the Park will not take place in Julia Davis Park in September, 2020. Art in the Park is BAM's most significant single source of revenue. It sustains BAM's non-profit operations including exhibitions, collections, and educational programs for the year.
They are working to create an all-new, virtual, BAM Art in the Park Marketplace. More details are coming soon.
The decision comes after consulting with artists, food vendors, partners, sponsors, and relevant authorities regarding the possibility of holding the event in the park this year. Tens of thousands of people attend the annual event.
Currently, Ada County is under Stage 3 which imposes restrictions on events of more than 50 people. The City of Boise also advised organizers that it is unlikely they will issue the event permit.
That coupled with an upward trajectory of COVID-19 cases in the Northwest, made holding Art in the Park too much of a challenge this year.
RELATED: Central District Health reinstates Stage 3 order for Ada County, will consider mask mandate
Tuesday, July 21
8:08 p.m. - In case you missed it:
- Coronavirus pandemic contributing to significant rise in Boise-area domestic abuse cases
- Central District Health concerned about increasing coronavirus cases as students prepare to return to school
- How Idaho health officials determine if a person died from the coronavirus
- Boise photographer offering free professional headshots to help Idahoans get back to work
- Gov. Little addresses growing number of coronavirus cases in Idaho
5:09 p.m. - Idaho again tops 500 new daily cases; 4 additional deaths reported in the Treasure Valley
After a lull with just 341 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Monday, Idaho is back over the 500-mark on Tuesday. The state and local health districts reported 515 new confirmed cases, bringing the statewide total since the beginning of the pandemic to 14,895. An additional 33 new probable cases were also reported Tuesday afternoon.
Before Monday, Idaho reported five consecutive days of 500+ cases.
Four additional deaths - all in the Treasure Vallely - attributed to COVID-19 were also announced Tuesday. Three of the deaths occurred in Ada County and one in Canyon County. The statewide death toll now stands at 127.
Ada and Canyon counties continue to be the coronavirus hot spots for the state. Each county had 168 new cases Tuesday. Kootenai County in North Idaho had 49 new confirmed cases.
According to Idaho Health and Welfare data, 4,504 people have recovered from the virus.
No new hospitalization data was available on Tuesday.
For a closer look at coronavirus numbers statewide, with county-by-county breakdowns and trends, check out our interactive map and timelines.
Monday, July 20
9:21 p.m. - In case you missed it:
- Ada County clerk calls for a special session to address election concerns due to coronavirus
- Southwest District Health cancels Tuesday's special meeting because of 'security concerns'
- Albertsons Companies to require its customers to wear a mask
- Saint Alphonsus doctor explains the risks for schools opening, effectiveness of face masks and what herd immunity is
6:20 p.m. - Idaho adds 341 confirmed cases, 3 new deaths reported and ICU numbers spike
After the state and public health districts released their latest coronavirus data, KTVB's COVID-19 tracking show Idaho now has 14,380 confirmed cases, with 341 new confirmed cases on Monday. Idaho also added 35 new probable cases.
The state's total of confirmed and probable cases is now at 15,266 cases.
Idaho also added three new deaths on Monday, with one each in Ada and Canyon counties. Minidoka County also reported its first coronavirus-related death. The statewide death toll from COVID-19 is now 122.
Recoveries increased to 4,335 but patients in the ICU saw its single-day highest total with 46. 186 people are currently hospitalized.
11:05 a.m. -- Albertsons Companies requiring its customers to wear face coverings
Starting on Tuesday, July 21, customers across all of their locations must wear face coverings when shopping at their stores for their protection and for that of their associates.
10 a.m. - City of Caldwell closing all city buildings
Effective Monday, July 20th until further notice, Caldwell city buildings will again close to the public due to a recent increase in the region's coronavirus case numbers.
"The recent increase in case numbers, as well as hospitalizations, means that it is time to take a step backward and pause, and do what we can to contribute to the health and safety of the public," said Mayor Nancolas. "We must all do our part to help out the community; respect your neighbor, stay home if you are able to and wash your hands often. We strongly encourage wearing a mask in public."
City service departments will remain fully staffed and operational. Department representatives will be available to the public via phone or email.
The closure includes City Hall, the Roberts Recreation Center, the Caldwell Airport Hubler Terminal Building, Memorial Park Classroom, the Caldwell Event Center, Purple Sage and Fairview golf course clubhouses (closed except for golf transactions and concession purchases), the Caldwell Public Library, and the Caldwell Senior Center.
At KTVB, we’re focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the virus. To see our full coverage, visit our coronavirus section, here: www.ktvb.com/coronavirus.
Facts not fear: More on coronavirus
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