(Scroll down for the latest news updates.)
Monday, April 6
6:36 p.m. - First case of community transmission confirmed in Payette County
The first case of community transmission of COVID-19 has been detected in Payette County, according to Southwest District Health. Community transmission, or community spread, is when public health professionals cannot specify an origin for an infection, such as tracing it to specific travel or contact with a specific individual. The first coronavirus case in Payette County was announced on March 24. As of Monday evening, the county has five confirmed COVID-19 cases and one death connected to the virus.
Other counties with confirmed community spread include Ada, Bingham, Blaine, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Kootenai, and Madison.
“It is important for Idahoans to know the risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19 is increasing in our communities," said Nikki Zogg, Southwest District Health director. "Please do your part to help slow the spread of the virus. Please stay home if at all possible." See a county-by-county case breakdown in our interactive map and timeline.
5:15 p.m. - Idaho death toll rises to 13
Three more people have died from complications related to COVID-19, the Idaho Health and Welfare Department announced on Monday. That brings the statewide total to 13. Two of the newly reported deaths were in Canyon County and one was in Payette County. At this point, there is no information available on those deaths. The statewide total of coronavirus cases is now at 1173. See a county-by-county case breakdown in our interactive map and timeline.
5:02 p.m. - Ada County now has 418 cases of COVID-19, according to Central District Health; Statewide total now at 1159
4:10 p.m. - Soft closures for all Idaho schools extended
On Monday afternoon, the Idaho State Board of Education unanimously voted to extend the current soft closures for Idaho schools until the end of the school year or when health officials say it is safe to return to in-person classes. If health officials do deem it safe, individual school districts would still need to make the decision to reopen schools themselves.
3:20 p.m. - Power County has first confirmed case, according to Southeastern Idaho Public Health; 1140 total cases confirmed statewide.
1:26 p.m. - Idaho attorney general says stay-at-home order is legal
Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden says the 21-day stay-at-home order issued by Gov. Brad Little is legal, and that the governor's power to do so is found in Idaho Code. At least one lawmaker and a county sheriff had previously argued that such an order was unconstitutional.
10:53 a.m. - Jaialdi pushed back to 2021
Jaialdi, the annual Basque festival held in Boise, will be canceled this year due to coronavirus concerns. The event was set to start in July. Jaialdi will now be held July 27- Aug. 1, 2021.
"We have been planning a great festival for four years, so this was a difficult decision," said Jaialdi board member Amy Wray. "But the COVID-19 situation both home and abroad is too uncertain, and we don't want to risk the health of festivalgoers."
10:40 a.m. Blaine County up to 421 cases
South Central District Health reports that Blaine County has 421 confirmed cases. Twin Falls County up to 51 cases. See a county-by-county case breakdown in our interactive map and timeline.
9:02 a.m. Idaho National Guard helping out around the state
Members of the Idaho National Guard have been deployed to assist food banks and deliver supplies as the numbers of confirmed coronavirus cases continue to grow.
Sunday, April 5
In case you missed it, an Idaho doctor claimed she was fired after attempting to wear a mask in a Boise hospital.
5:06 p.m. - The state releases latest data on confirmed cases in Idaho
The state of Idaho released its latest number of confirmed cases statewide, There are now 1,102 confirmed cases in Idaho, according to our tracking of data released by the state and individual health districts. Ada County now has 402 confirmed cases, while Canyon County has 101.
According to the state, 77 people have been hospitalized and 10,995 people have been tested. Ten people have died from COVID-19.
3:37 p.m. - Kootenai County now has 42 confirmed cases
Coronavirus resources: