BOISE, Idaho — For the most recent daily 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.
Saturday, August 1
5:31 p.m. - Idaho adds over 350 cases, inches closer to 20,000 confirmed cases
The Department of Health and Welfare reported 379 confirmed cases and seven probable cases on Saturday, bringing the statewide total number of cases to 21,114. Out of that, 19,882 cases are confirmed.
Since the pandemic began, 856 people have been hospitalized, with 250 cases being sent to the ICU.
Three new deaths were reported in Kootenai County, bringing the statewide death toll from the pandemic to 196 people.
Recoveries increased again, with 7,146 cases being presumed to have recovered.
The state and private labs have tested 183,034 people for COVID-19. With 19,882 confirmed cases in the state, the positivity rate for testing since the pandemic began is 10.9%.
Friday, July 31
5:39 p.m.- New daily highs set for coronavirus deaths, hospitalizations
Friday marks the deadliest day since the beginning of the pandemic. 13 new deaths were reported today, including the first COVID-19 related death in Owyhee County. Ada County reported six deaths, followed closely by Canyon County with three deaths. The death toll now stands at 193.
239 hospitalizations were reported with 54 of those in the ICU.
Idaho now has 19,503 confirmed cases with 424 added to the total today. There has been 6,998 recoveries.
Ada County remains the state's hotspot, adding 140 new cases today. Closely following, Canyon County added 100 cases and Kootenai County added 40.
Thursday, July 30
5:14 p.m.- Idaho exceeds 19,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases, four new deaths confirmed in Ada, Twin Falls counties
Idaho is currently reporting 19,079 confirmed COVID-19 cases, adding an additional 516 cases on Thursday. Four death, three in Ada County and one in Twin Falls County, were also confirmed, bringing the statewide death toll to 180.
Ada and Canyon Counties remain Idaho's hotspots, with Ada County adding 167 new cases today and Canyon County adding 127 cases.
2:56 p.m. -- Idaho Democrats cancel 2020 platform convention
The Idaho Democratic Party has canceled plans for an in-person platform convention in Boise due to the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases in Ada County.
The event, which is held every two years, had been planned for the end of August.
In a news release, the Idaho Democratic Party said the platform implemented in 2018 will remain in place until the 2022 state convention.
"As Idaho Democrats, the safety and well-being of our delegates and members is of the utmost importance," the party said in a statement. "With the current mandate in Ada County prohibiting gatherings larger than 50 people, it would be impossible to safely gather 300-400 Idaho Democrats for a state convention. We are confident that 2020 will be a strong and exciting year and we look forward to electing and reelecting Idaho Democrats in November."
11:10 a.m. -- New Idaho unemployment claims fall by 17%
The number of people filing new unemployment claims dropped by 17% last week, according to the Idaho Department of Labor. Continued claims also fell by 4% from the week before, officials say.
The week that ended July 25 was the final week for laid off or unemployed Idahoans to receive an extra weekly $600 benefit through the CARES Act.
Due to the pandemic, unemployment claims in Idaho are being filed at six times the rate as this time last summer.
Wednesday, July 29
9:28 p.m. -- In case you missed it:
- 'It could get really bad, really fast': Treasure Valley nonprofits hope for federal relief amid worsening housing crisis
- Kuna and Boise school districts address some concerns about Ada County's school mask mandate
- West Ada parents concerned about possibility of online-only school options for their son with special needs
- More than 1% of Idaho's population has been infected with coronavirus
- City of Nampa unveils Health Advisory Task Force
- Ironman 70.3 in Coeur d'Alene canceled amid coronavirus outbreak in North Idaho
5:39 p.m. - IDOC inmate with COVID-19 dies
An inmate who was diagnosed with COVID-19 has died at a Boise hospital, Idaho Department of Correction officials announced on Wednesday.
In a news release, the IDOC said 66-year-old Frank Dawson Conover was transported from the Idaho State Correctional Center (ISCC) to a Boise hospital for emergency treatment on July 22.
While at the hospital, he tested positive for COVID-19 while being treated for other serious underlying health conditions, officials said. Conover died early Wednesday morning.
The ISCC, a men's prison south of Boise, has been dealing with an outbreak of COVID-19 cases and began mass-testing inmates late last month. Since then, hundreds of inmates have tested positive.
Statewide, 175 people have died from COVID-19-related illnesses since March.
5:13 p.m. - 475 new cases, 7 additional deaths reported; New daily high in hospitalizations
Idaho added 475 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday - 449 confirmed and 26 probable - according to data from the Health and Welfare Department and local health districts. That brings the statewide total of confirmed cases to 18,563.
Of the new cases, 129 were in Ada County and 106 were in Canyon County, both of which remain the state's hot spots. Kootenai County reported 48 new cases.
Ada County's case total since the beginning of the pandemic now stands at 7,065.
Seven additional deaths were also reported on Wednesday: 3 in Ada County, 2 in Canyon County, 1 in Minidoka County and 1 in Shoshone County (its first COVID-19-related death)
The state also reported new hospitalization numbers. As of July 27, 236 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 - a new high since tracking began - and 51 of them were in the ICU. There were 114 ICU beds available statewide as of Monday.
For a closer look at coronavirus numbers statewide, with county-by-county breakdowns and trends, check out our interactive map and timelines.
Tuesday, July 28
9:42 p.m. - In case you missed it:
- Face masks will be required at all schools and universities in Ada County
- 'This is going to be fluid up until November': Idaho preparing for highly anticipated general election amid pandemic
- Nampa teachers want to start the school year with online-only learning
- Treefort launches crowdfunding effort for 2021 festival
- 'Close the Divide' aims to provide low-income students with laptops, internet ahead of school year
7:47 p.m. - 550 new cases, 7 additional deaths reported on Tuesday
550 new cases of COVID-19 were reported statewide on Tuesday, according to data from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and local health districts.
Of those new cases, 173 were in Ada County, 76 were in Canyon County and 45 were in Twin Falls County.
Seven additional deaths were also confirmed on Tuesday, including one person in the 30 to 39 age range. Ada, Canyon, and Twin Falls counties each reported two deaths. One death was reported in Boise County, its first since the pandemic began.
The total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Idaho is now at 18,114. The death toll stands at 161.
For a closer look at coronavirus numbers statewide, with county-by-county breakdowns and trends, check out our interactive map and timelines.
5:04 p.m. - First Boise County resident dies from COVID-19
A Boise County man in his 80s has become the first Boise County resident to die from COVID-19-related illness, Central District Health announced Monday afternoon.
According to the health district, 32 coronavirus cases have been identified in the county.
"We express our deepest sympathies to those impacted by the recent COVID-19 related death in Boise County," CDH director Russ Duke said in a statement. " As we see more people in rural areas of our health district affected by COVID-19, it serves as a good reminder that wearing face coverings out in public and keeping ourselves physically distanced are the greatest tools we have to help protect our fellow Idahoans at this time.
"Anyone visiting our remote counties, for any reason, needs to follow this guidance to help protect people living in those areas where access to immediate healthcare is limited." Duke added.
Monday, July 27
7:35 p.m. - Six deaths reported in the Treasure Valley; Canyon County tops state in new daily cases
Idaho added 427 confirmed and 38 probable cases of the coronavirus on Monday, according to data released by public health districts and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
Canyon County was the state's hot spot on Monday with 145 new confirmed cases. Ada County had the second most with 82, and Bonneville County was third with 54.
Seven deaths were reported on Monday - three in Ada County, three in Canyon County, and one in Bannock County. The statewide death toll from COVID-19 now stands at 154.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 17,564 people in Idaho have tested positive for COVID-19.
As of Saturday, 209 people were hospitalized due to the virus, and 40 of those patients were in the ICU, according to data provided by the state.
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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