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.
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 when the Gem State moved to each reopening stage.
Latest coronavirus updates:
Friday, June 19
5:50 p.m. -- Third highest number of new COVID-19 cases reported in Idaho
The state and local health districts are reporting 117 new confirmed and 16 probable cases of COVID-19 cases on Friday.
That's the third highest single day total since Idaho began tracking cases in March.
Statewide, there has been 3,478 total confirmed cases, 3,871 total confirmed and probable cases, 89 deaths, and 3,183 recoveries.
Looking at the 14-day moving average in the graph below you can see Idaho has been steadily increasing its number of new cases each day this week.
11:05 a.m. -- Zoo Boise to open Monday, June 22, with new health and safety protocols
Zoo Boise will reopen to the public and Friends of Zoo Boise members on Monday, June 22.
"We are grateful for the community's support over the last three months as we worked to keep our employees and animals safe," said Doug Holloway, Boise Parks and Recreation director. "Our team looks forward to welcoming guests back to the zoo, and although you will notice some changes, please know your health and safety are always our top priority."
Some new protocols to note when visiting the zoo:
• Advance tickets will be required for all visitors, including members. The zoo will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. To reduce lines and allow for physical distancing, we have implemented a timed entry process. All visitors, including members, are required to reserve a ticket for a specific time slot to enter the zoo before arrival. Guests will have to enter in the 30-minute block for which their tickets were purchased on the specific date listed. Refunds will not be available, and all tickets must be purchased online in advance.
• Prior to entering the zoo, there will be clearly marked waiting lines with markers to promote physical distancing of at least six feet between ticket holders. Please have your pre-purchased tickets either printed off or downloaded to your phone so they may be scanned prior to entering the zoo. Friends of Zoo Boise members, please have your tickets and zoo membership card available.
• Once guests enter the zoo, there will be a set, one-way path to walk around the zoo allowing six feet of physical distancing between groups. The one-way path takes approximately two hours to complete. Zoo ambassadors will be stationed along the route to assist and answer any questions you may have.
• There will not be any re-entries into the zoo at this time due to the new guidelines in place.
Some exhibits and activities will not be available when the zoo reopens.
Notable closures include the Small Animal Kingdom, Penguin Pavilion, Schoolhouse, Bat-House, the zoo carousel and all playground areas.
There will be no animal encounters at this time due to recommendations in regard to animal safety. This includes the Sloth Bear Encounter, the Giraffe Encounter and the Zoo Farm.
The Butterfly in Bloom exhibit will not be open this season.
Zoo concessions, stroller rentals and an outdoor gift shop will be open with limited operations.
All zoo restrooms will be open, but note they are spaced out along the one-way walking route. Water fountains will be turned off, so plan accordingly. There will be hand sanitizing stations available throughout the zoo.
Zoo Boise is asking guests to wear masks when they visit but is not requiring them. This recommendation is being made for the health and safety of zoo guests and staff, and all of the animals.
10:45 a.m. -- Idaho Humane Society awarded $10,000 COVID grant
The Idaho Humane Society is the recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Rachael Ray Save Them All COVID-19 Relief Program. This grant program was initiated to assist animal welfare organizations whose life-saving efforts have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; it is funded by The Rachael Ray Foundation™ and administered by Best Friends Animal Society.
The Idaho Humane Society has seen a large uptick in families needing financial assistance for critical and urgent veterinary care for their pets.
"We are grateful to Best Friends for providing this financial support to help animals receive critical veterinary care needed to live and stay in their homes. This grant comes at a much-needed time to provide emergency assistance to animals in Idaho, but also those owners who live outside the state with nowhere else to go," says CEO, Dr. Jeff Rosenthal.
Thursday, June 18
10:32 p.m. - In case you missed it:
- Health officials meet with Boise bar owners as downtown coronavirus cluster grows
- Idaho looks to have traditional voting options for November general election
- Boise students will get option of in-class or online learning in the fall
- NCAA approves preseason model, Boise State allowed to start team activities two weeks early due to COVID-19
8:42 p.m. - Community spread detected in Washington County
Southwest District Health has confirmed a case of community transmission of COVID-19 in Washington County. Community transmission, or community spread, is when public health officials cannot specify an origin for an infection, such as tracing it to specific travel, family events, social gatherings, or contact with a specific individual.
Washington County saw a sharp increase in cases in May which were all connected to known clusters of cases at workplaces and family events.
"The risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19 is increasing in Washington County," SWDH director Nikki Zogg said. "Please do your part to help slow the spread of the virus."
Residents are urged to continue practicing risk reduction strategies including:
- Staying home if sick, even when symptoms are mild.
- Practicing physical-distancing (maintaining at least 6 feet between individuals).
- Wearing a cloth face covering or mask when in public settings where physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer.
6:09 p.m. - Idaho sees highest number of new cases in a single day since April 3.
The state of Idaho and local health districts released their COVID-19 numbers Thursday afternoon, and they show the state is heading in the wrong direction when it comes to new cases being reported.
Statewide, there are 103 new confirmed cases statewide, and an additional 15 new probable cases. The last time the state surpassed 103 cases in a single day was on April 3 when 121 new confirmed cases were reported.
Ada County continues to be the current hot spot in the state with 51 new cases - that's nearly half of the statewide total for Thursday. The statewide death toll stands at 89 and there have been 3,088 recoveries.
Looking at the 14-day moving average in the graph below you can see Idaho has been steadily increasing its number of new cases each day this week.
For a closer look at the numbers, including county breakdowns and trends, check out our interactive map and timelines.
Wednesday, June 17
10:38 p.m. - In case you missed it:
- Bittercreek Alehouse, Red Feather Lounge in downtown Boise close due to coronavirus concerns
- 'We need to be able to alert people': CDH explains why they name bars when sending out public health warnings
- Idaho lawsuit over petition signatures given expedited hearing
- Gov. Little unveils more details on Idaho return to work bonuses
- If a co-worker tests positive for coronavirus, can you refuse to go to work?
- Unemployment claims backlog in Idaho may not be resolved until end of July
- Longtime Boise eatery Rockies Diner closing
- North Idaho bar fined $2,500 for reopening early
- Eastern Oregon county voluntarily returning to Phase 1 after spike in COVID-19 cases
5:51 p.m. - Idaho sees largest spike in new probable cases since the state started tracking those cases on April 9.
The state and local health districts are reporting 55 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. Idaho is also reporting 31 new "probable" cases, the largest number since the state started tracking that data on April 9. Statewide, there has been 3,260 total confirmed cases, 89 deaths, and 3,012 recoveries.
See our interactive map and timeline of COVID-19 cases in Idaho, plus a breakdown of the 14-day average of new daily cases.
9:46 a.m.- Boise Co-op confirms a COVID-19 positive employee
Boise Co-op learned that an employee at the North End location tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.
The employee last worked a short five hour shift at that location on June 9 and has not been back to work since.
The Co-op leadership team said their first priority is the health and safety of the public. The store has since undergone enhanced cleaning and disinfecting procedures, and management is now strongly recommending that all customers wear face masks into the store.
Enhanced safety measures, such as hand washing, disinfecting and wearing a face covering, has been followed by the Boise Co-op staff since the outbreak began, but will now be taken more seriously.
The North End location will remain open as these precautions are taken.
Tuesday, June 16
9:55 p.m. -- In case you missed it:
- A month after reopening, Boise restaurant owners say they are doing their part to help curb the spread of coronavirus
- Idaho Attorney General's office warns of phony COVID-19 contact tracers
- Coronavirus antibody test results show high rate in Blaine County
- Health officials warn about possible coronavirus exposure at four more bars in Boise and Meridian
- Boise medical librarian joins 130 others around the world to research COVID-19
- West Ada preparing for students to go back to school
5:11 p.m. - Idaho is now reporting 3,205 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 89 deaths and 2,921 recoveries.
Idaho saw the largest daily increase in coronavirus cases today since May 22, with a total of 73 new confirmed cases, including 28 in Ada County. The 14-day moving average shown below indicates Idaho is moving in the wrong direction in recent days when it comes to COVID-19 cases.
3:48 p.m. -- Possible COVID-19 exposure at four Treasure Valley bars
Three downtown Boise bars and a bar in Meridian have had possible exposure to coronavirus this month, according to Central District Health officials. See the full story here.
The bars and dates of possible exposure include:
- Matador (downtown Boise) in the bar top only area. The exposure date was June 7 and anyone present should monitor for coronavirus symptoms through June 21.
- Vista Bar in Boise. The exposure date was June 9 and anyone present should monitor for symptoms through June 23.
- 9th Street Nook in Boise. The exposure date was June 10 and anyone present should monitor symptoms through June 24.
- The Breakaway Cafe & Spirits in Meridian. The exposure date was June 13 and anyone present at the bar top area only should monitor for symptoms through June 27.
The health district had previously warned of possible exposure at six other Boise bars. The cluster of illnesses associated with that earlier group of bars has grown, CDC officials said, and they've expanded the possible exposure to include the weekend of June 12 and 13, in addition to the previously reported June 5 and 6.
Anyone who was at one of these establishments on the exposure date should watch for COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell. CDC officials said to contact your healthcare provider if you develop any of these symptoms.
11:50 a.m. -- Western Idaho Fair canceled for 2020
After reviewing many possible scenarios and receiving advice from Western Idaho Fair's Advisory Board and Ada County officials, the decision was made to cancel the 2020 Western Idaho Fair.
The 4-H and FFA youth exhibits, competitions and sales will continue to be held at Expo Idaho this August. This will allow all youth participants in those programs to complete their projects and sell their animals as planned.
Over the last few months, the Western Idaho Fair staff have been brainstorming and discussing how to bring fairgoers a 2020 Western Idaho Fair while maintaining the health and safety of the community without compromising the integrity of the Fair. The Fair received advice and recommendations from local and state health officials and considered many possible scenarios. The need for continued social distancing made the scenarios difficult to accomplish without significantly compromising the Fair experience and long-term fiscal viability.
Western Idaho Fair is the largest event in the State of Idaho with about 250,000 people on site each year.
Dozens of entertainers, hundreds of businesses and organizations, thousands of exhibitors, and thousands of employees make the Fair come to life the third Friday of August each year.
The Western Idaho Fair staff are working on ideas for smaller events in 2020 that can utilize the benefit of space that Expo Idaho's facilities provide.
Monday, June 15
9:52 p.m. - In case you missed it:
- Idaho senior living and long-term care communities ramp up COVID-19 protocols for visitors
- Boise's Bishop Kelly High School to host an in-person graduation ceremony
- Zoo Boise will reopen next week with some restrictions and closures
- Canyon County Fair to host FFA and 4-H livestock only, no carnival, no concerts
- Caldwell nurse goes to New York City to help critical COVID-19 patients
- Red Cross to test all donated blood for COVID-19 antibodies
5:08 p.m.- Idaho Dept. of Health and Welfare cite 3,132 confirmed cases, 88 deaths and 2,877 recoveries
Two new deaths were reported today: one in Bonneville County and one in Kootenai County. These are the first COVID-19 deaths in both counties.
See our interactive map and timeline of COVID-19 cases in Idaho, plus a breakdown of the 14-day average of new daily cases.
11:30 a.m. 2020 Braun Brothers Reunion Festival canceled
Organizers of this year's Braun Brothers Reunion Festival in Challis, Idaho announced that the festival will be canceled due to coronavirus concerns.
The Braun family, which puts on the three-day concert event, wrote that they were "devastated" to cancel the event, but the risk of exposing artists, fans, volunteers and staff to illness was too high.
Refunds will be issued to all who bought tickets. Next year's festival is slated for Aug. 12- 14.
10:55 a.m. Red Cross to begin testing donated blood for COVID-19 antibodies
The Red Cross will begin testing donated blood, plasma, and platelets for COVID-19 antibodies beginning Monday.
The free testing could let donors know whether they have been exposed to the virus, even if they never felt sick or showed symptoms.
The Red Cross says there is currently an urgent need for blood, as many hospitals begin conducting surgeries and other treatments that had been postponed earlier. For more on this story, and for a list of blood drives near you, click here.
Sunday, June 14
In case you missed it:
- Health district warns of possible coronavirus exposure at downtown Boise bars
- Massive turnout for 'Farmers to Families' food distribution program in Nampa
- Idaho Gov. Brad Little announces Idaho will move into final reopening stage
- Downtown Boise YMCA shuts down after member tests positive for coronavirus
- Health and Welfare director: Idaho's suicide rate has declined during pandemic
- Alive After Five still bringing live music to Boise during pandemic
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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