BOISE, Idaho — For the latest coronavirus updates, click here.
Idaho's number of deaths and cases of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, continue to climb amid a worldwide pandemic.
New confirmed COVID-19 Idaho cases, closures and resources to help are announced every day.
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Wednesday, May 6
5:25 p.m. - Number of confirmed COVID-19 cases approaching 2,000 in Idaho
A total of 1,994 cases have been confirmed around the state. The death toll has increased to 66, the latest one was reported today in Payette County. The State of Idaho's coronavirus website reports 31 new confirmed or probable cases Wednesday. Of those new cases, 29 have been confirmed. 30,718 tests for the virus have been completed around Idaho, including 343 new test completions reported Wednesday.
3:35 p.m. - Protocols now available for indoor gyms, recreational facilities
The protocols are for indoor gym and recreational facilities managers to implement in order to open in stage 2 of the Idaho Rebounds plan, tentatively set to begin May 16.
The three-page document detailing gym and rec facility protocols calls for limiting occupancy to ensure that people can maintain distances of at least six feet apart from each other; also, disinfecting equipment after each person uses it, limiting the sharing of equipment, considering special hours for the elderly and other vulnerable groups, encouraging the use of face coverings, screening visitors and employees, among other steps.
Protocols for most businesses set to open in the first two stages of the four-stage plan are now posted in a special section on the Rebound Idaho website.
10 a.m. - The Village at Meridian begins reopening
The Village at Meridian and tenants are preparing to reopen to the public. The first priority is the health and safety of the community in this transitional phase, so there are changes that will be noticeable on the property.
Shoppers can expect to see the following during their shopping experience:
• More hand sanitizing stations throughout the property
• Increased frequency of cleaning high-touch areas and restrooms
• All Village at Meridian staff will be wearing masks and gloves or working behind a protective screen
• Increased signage encouraging social distancing and added markings on the ground showing appropriate distancing
• Playground will remain closed
Security will remind individuals in the group to comply with social distancing guidelines.
For an up-to-date list of business that are open go their website or call 208-501-8207.
6:36 a.m. - Camping in state parks to reopen May 30
Idaho's 30 state parks will officially welcome back campers on May 30. Camping reservations were shut down in late March due to the coronavirus, although parks remained open for day use, with some restrictions.
The Parks Department says there will be more frequent cleaning of restrooms and facilities. Campground showers and some lodging will remain closed.
Group camps and shelters will be opened on a case-by-case basis.
Refunds will be given to anyone having a reservation canceled between May 16 and 29.
Tuesday, May 5
8:15 p.m. -- Idaho releases general and business-specific protocols for reopening
General and business-specific protocols for reopening in various stages of the four-stage plan have been added to the state's Rebound Idaho website. Protocols are available through Stage 2. Additional business-specific protocols will be added as they are made available.
Click on the following links to find out more about the reopening protocols for each type of business:
- Stage 1 – General Business; Daycare; Youth Activities; Places of Worship
- Stage 2 – General Business; Restaurants; Close Contact Services
7:47 p.m. -- In case you missed it: The Ada County Courthouse goes digital to catch up on a backlog of cases caused by the pandemic; Idaho coronavirus cases continue to climb but daily new case numbers are trending down; A $100,000 grant from the Micron Foundation will help local Boys & Girls Clubs continue services amid the outbreak; From coffee breaks to tea parties, how KTVB's Kim Fields is getting used to working from home with her kids; and Vale High School uses toilet paper to award 'Pandemic Prom' king and queen.
6:05 p.m. -- Idaho sees an increase of just 14 cases in 24 hours
When the state of Idaho and local health districts released their latest numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases, the statewide total grew by just 14 - from 1,950 to 1,964 - in the 24-hour period from Monday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon. The state is also reporting an additional 163 "probable" cases that have not yet been confirmed. The number of statewide deaths attributed to coronavirus held steady at 66. Meanwhile, the number of people who have recovered from the virus grew from 1,358 on Monday to 1,379 on Tuesday. For more information about Idaho's coronavirus cases, take a look at our updated map and timelines.
RELATED: Idaho's total confirmed cases of the coronavirus climbs but daily new case numbers are trending down
Monday, May 4
5:05 p.m. -- Two more deaths reported in Ada County, bringing statewide death toll to 66
Central District Health is reporting two additional deaths associated with COVID-19 in Ada County. One of the deaths is confirmed to be attributed to the virus, while the other is listed as "probable." That brings the death toll to 19 in Ada County and 66 statewide. As of late Monday afternoon, there have been 1,950 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Idaho and 1,358 recoveries from the virus, according to numbers provided by the state's Health and Welfare Department. For more information about Idaho's coronavirus cases, take a look at our updated map and timelines.
1:21 p.m. -- Restroom facilities to reopen at Nampa parks
Nampa Parks and Recreation said that all restroom facilities in city parks will reopen Monday. The bathrooms had previously been closed to the public due to coronavirus fears. Restrooms will now be unlocked during daylight hours, and cleaned twice daily.
The parks department will also begin allowing some youth activities and day camps beginning Monday. Youth sports teams will be allowed to hold practices - but not games - in the parks. Day camps and other activities will be offered on a limited basis and will follow guidelines about social distancing and hygiene.
Playgrounds remain closed for the time being.
11:00 a.m. -- Warm Spring Golf Course reopens
Boise reopened one of its two city-owned golf courses. Warm Springs is now taking over-the-phone tee-times from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week.
No cart rentals, walking only. The driving range, pro shop, and clubhouse are closed. And they have foam in the cups to prevent people from touching flag sticks.
10:00 a.m. -- Jerome County reopening county offices
Jerome County is reopening county offices, previously closed because of COVID-19, on Monday, May 4th.
Preventative measures within the county offices will still be followed.
Jerome County will also allow a limited number of people inside county offices to meet social distancing standards.
They ask citizens to bring only the individuals that need to be present to limit the number of people being seen. If online services are available, Jerome County is asking residents to utilize those services first to keep everyone as safe as possible. Consult the county web page or call (208) 644-2700 for more specific information regarding each county office as some procedures may have changed.
9:48 a.m. -- Boise Towne Square Mall to reopen
The Boise Towne Square Mall announced that it will reopen on Tuesday, May 5. The mall wrote on Facebook that it is "taking the necessary steps to ensure you have a safe and worry-free visit."
Retail operations were cleared to reopen on May 1 as part of Stage One of Gov. Brad Little's four-step reopening plan. The mall has been closed since March 24.
9:35 a.m. -- State Parks to reopen for camping on May 30th
Camping closed in late March to help stem the spread of the coronavirus but the parks have remained open for day use, with limitations to enhance safety. Camping will reopen with new COVID-19 precautions.
The Parks Department says there will be more frequent cleaning of restrooms and other shared-use facilities. Campground showers will not be opened.
Refunds will be given to anyone having a reservation canceled between May 16 and May 29.
Some lodging at parks will remain closed. While camper cabins will open, premium cabins – those with dishes, linens and bathrooms – will stay closed because of the difficulty in providing enhanced cleaning at this time.
Group camps and shelters will be opened on a case-by-case basis.
8:25 a.m. -- Nampa Christian Schools opens its doors
We are opening the school for modified daily classroom instruction starting on Monday, May 4. Grades PreK-12 will be taking every Friday off for a teacher in-service to help give our incredible instructional staff more time to catch up on lesson planning and grading.
Parents should wait for the communication from the principals as their emails will include additional details around the modifications being made for the remainder of the school year.
7:53 a.m. -- Boise GreenBike relaunches with free rides
The Boise GreenBike program is relaunching Monday and is offering two weeks of one-hour free rides. All bikes have been cleaned and given a tune-up, and they will be cleaned and disinfected regularly going forward.
"As our city and state start to reopen for business we want to be able to provide a healthy and safe transportation alternative," said Boise GreenBike Director Dave Fotsch. "We work hard to keep the bikes clean and disinfected, but we're asking our riders to do their part as well."
Overtime charges and other fees still apply. Riders are asked not to use the bikes if they are sick, continue maintaining social distance, and wear face coverings if around other people.
7:34 a.m. -- ValleyRide bus routes reopening today
Three previously shut down ValleyRide bus routes in Boise and Garden City will resume Monday.
The reopening of routes 11 Garden City, 16 VA/Hyde Park, and 17 Warm Springs means all bus routes in the two cities are fully in operation. The routes were previously suspended after a drop in ridership following Idaho's stay-at-home order, which lifted Friday.
Main Street Station, the Happy Day Transit Center in Caldwell, and the VRT administrative offices in Meridian remain closed.
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.
See our latest updates in our YouTube playlist:
Coronavirus resources:
What's an 'essential' business under the Idaho stay-home order? Gov. Little answers your questions
Coronavirus resources: Testing sites, at-risk grocery hours in the Treasure Valley
How to help southern Idaho nonprofits or get help during the coronavirus pandemic
List of schools and universities that cancel class in Idaho due to the coronavirus