BOISE, Idaho — Click here for the latest daily updates.
We're closely tracking Idaho's number of deaths and cases of the novel coronavirus as well as what's happening as COVID-19 continues to spread in Idaho.
We have multiple graphs and timelines looking at the coronavirus case trends in Idaho, including a graph showing a 14-day average that the State of Idaho has been tracking to determine the appropriate reopening stage.
How we track Idaho COVID-19 cases:
Every day, KTVB works diligently to ensure we are providing the most accurate, up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 cases in Idaho. We track our numbers the same way the Idaho Dept. of Health and Welfare does. However, we update our total number more frequently, meaning our numbers may not always match with the state.
The state updates the number of total cases every day around 5 p.m.
KTVB updates our running total once the state and local health districts have confirmed their total number of cases. See more details about how we track regional numbers ahead of the state releasing them here.
Saturday, November 14
6:19 p.m. - Idaho adds over 1,500 cases, surpasses 81,000 total cases since the pandemic began
According to the Idaho Department of Health of Welfare, the Gem State reported 1,519 total cases and three new deaths on Saturday, two of those deaths were from Bannock County. 312 of those cases were probable and 1,207 were confirmed.
Since the pandemic began, 69,557 people are confirmed to have the coronavirus and there has been 81,817 confirmed and probable cases reported.
Idaho's death toll from COVID-19 is now at 759.
According to the IDHW, there were technical difficulties in publishing county-by-county data so KTVB's tracking will fully be updated when that data is made available. Data on the county location of the third death and on estimated recoveries are not available.
Friday, November 13
6:16 p.m.- 1,500 new confirmed and probable cases, 4 deaths reported on Friday; hospitalization rates hit record highs once again
1,562 confirmed and probable cases were added to the Gem State's total number of COVID-19 cases. Of that number, 1,313 are confirmed and 278 are considered probable.
Five counties reported more than 100 new cases on Friday, the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. Both Ada and Canyon counties reported more than 200 new confirmed cases, while Kootenai, Latah and Nez Perce added over 100 new confirmed cases.
Today's reported numbers bring the statewide number of confirmed cases to 68,741. In total, there are now 79,798 confirmed and probable cases.
Four deaths were reported on Friday. Cassia, Jerome, Minidoka and Washington counties each added one death.
Eastern Idaho Public Health District lowered Bonneville County's total deaths by one, bringing the statewide death toll to 756.
Idaho has once again surpassed the record number of COVID-19 related hospitalizations. As of Nov. 11, 395 people are in the hospital with COVID-19. 96 of those hospitalized are in the ICU.
Statewide new cases have topped 1000 on 10 of the last 11 days, pushing the 14-day average to 1150 daily new cases as of today.
An estimated 34,482 recoveries have been made,
3 p.m. - Nampa Public Library closing to the public on Monday, Nov. 16
The Nampa Public Library made the announcement in response to Gov. Little's rolling back Idaho to a modified Stage 2 and limiting gatherings to 10 people or less.
Patrons can still place library items on hold from their account and pick them up at the permanent holds pickup window, located on 3rd St. S. next to the outdoor book return. The hours for this service are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Monday-Thursday) and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Friday and Saturday).
For more info call the "Ask a Librarian" line at 208-468-4474.
1 p.m. -- Gov. Little mobilizes Idaho National Guard, ups COVID restrictions
Idaho Gov. Brad Little is mobilizing the Idaho National Guard and restricting group sizes to 10 or fewer to fight the coronavirus as infections and deaths surge across the state.
The governor during a news conference Friday held remotely says the moves are needed because healthcare facilities are within weeks of having to ration care due to workers out sick with COVID-19.
The restrictions are a return to Stage 2 of his plan to reopen the economy while slowing the spread of the virus. In the latest version, bars, nightclubs and restaurants can continue operating, but customers must be seated.
RELATED: Idaho governor mobilizes National Guard, orders rollback to Stage 2 as COVID-19 cases swell
Thursday, November 12
6:30 p.m. - 1,284 new confirmed and probable cases, 16 deaths reported on Thursday
Idaho added 1,006 confirmed and 278 probable COVID-19 cases on Thursday, making it nine out of the last 10 days that the state has surpassed 1,000 daily cases.
There have now been 67,428 confirmed cases in Idaho since the beginning of the pandemic.
Of the new cases, Ada and Canyon counties each had 183. Bonneville County had 75 new cases.
The state also reported an additional 16 deaths on Thursday, bringing the statewide death toll to 753. Twin Falls County had three deaths, while Bonneville and Idaho counties each had two. Ada, Bannock, Canyon, Franklin, Fremont, Minidoka, Nez Perce and Payette counties each reported a single death.
Health officials have released new data on the rate of people testing positive for COVID-19. As of last week, Idaho's positivity rate is at 16.9%, up from 14.7% the week before. The positivity rate has steadily increased in recent weeks. According to the state, 30,920 tests were performed last week, down from 31,307 the week before.
Wednesday, November 11
6:15 p.m. - Idaho adds 1,519 total new cases and 18 new deaths reported
The Gem State, based on data from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and public health districts across the state, added 1,151 new confirmed and 368 new probable cases on Tuesday. The combined 1,519 new cases set a new record for most cases reported in a single day in Idaho.
Idaho now has 77,121 probable and confirmed cases of COVID-19, 66,422 of which are confirmed.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare also reported 18 new coronavirus-related deaths:
- Ada County (4)
- Bonneville County (1)
- Canyon County (3)
- Kootenai County (5)
- Lemhi County (1)
- Twin Falls County (4)
Ada County continues to be one of Idaho's biggest hotspots of community spread of COVID-19 with 391 new cases added Wednesday. Bonneville County reported the second most with 105 and Canyon County reported 78.
As of Nov. 9, a record-high 361 people with the coronavirus were hospitalized and a record-high 94 people were in the ICU due to the virus.
An estimated 33,715 people in Idaho are presumed to have recovered from COVID-19.
11:00 a.m. - St. Luke's Magic Valley forced to divert ICU patients
A spokeswoman for St. Luke's Regional Health System said the hospital in Twin Falls was forced to temporarily divert ICU patients Tuesday night over capacity issues.
St. Luke's Magic Valley Medical Center currently has 75 COVID-19 patients in the hospital, as the region continues to grapple with soaring cases. Doctors at the medical center have repeatedly spoken out about nearing capacity and having to send patients elsewhere.
The St. Luke's hospital in Boise is taking some patients, but is also nearing capacity "especially in our ICUs that are full of COVID-19+ patients and others who still need intensive care," Anita Kissee said in a Tweet.
St. Luke's has also had to reject patients from an overburdened hospital in Elko, Nevada. Those patients had already been turned away from hospitals in Utah, where cases are also rising.
Tuesday, November 10
8:43 p.m. - 16 deaths reported on Tuesday; Treasure Valley remains top hot spot for new cases
Idaho health officials reported 955 new confirmed and 237 new probable COVID-19 cases on Tuesday. The state has now topped 1,000 daily cases in seven of the last eight days, as the state struggles to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
Of the new cases, Canyon County had the most with 201, followed closely by Ada County with 198. Kootenai County had 105 new cases.
Note: The numbers above do not reflect South Central Health District, which has not updated the numbers on its website as of late Tuesday evening. SCHD includes Blaine, Camas, Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka and Twin Falls counties.
The state also reported 16 coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday. Four of the deaths occurred in Ada County, three in Canyon County, two in Bannock County and one each in Bonneville, Cassia, Idaho, Kootenai, Nez Perce, Payette and Twin Falls counties.
The statewide death toll since the pandemic began now stands at 720.
7:08 a.m. - Gov. Brad Little to discuss pandemic response during AARP town hall
Idaho's governor will answer questions and discuss the latest on the state's coronavirus response Tuesday at noon.
Gov. Brad Little and Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen will both be on hand to answer questions from callers. Little's office says he will also discuss the recent election during the call.
Participants can call in toll-free at 866-767-0637, register to be called in advance here or stream the call live on Facebook here.
Monday, November 9
6:44 p.m. - 1,417 new cases reported on Monday; Idaho surpasses 700 deaths
Idaho added 1,297 new confirmed and 120 new probable coronavirus cases on Monday, for a total of 1,417 total new cases. More than 64,000 people have tested positive for the virus since the pandemic reached Idaho in March.
Of the new cases, Ada County was again the state's top hot spot with 364 new confirmed cases. Kootenai County had the second-most with 129, followed by Nez Perce County with 107 and Canyon County with 92.
Idaho has reported more than 1,000 new daily cases in six of the last seven days.
The state also reached a grim milestone on Monday when it surpassed 700 coronavirus-related deaths. Health officials reported 13 additional deaths, bringing the statewide death toll to 704. This comes just 10 days after Idaho reached 600 deaths and one month after it surpassed 500.
Of the newly-reported deaths, six were in Twin Falls County and two were in Ada County. Bingham, Canyon, Cassia, Lincoln and Shoshone counties each reported one death.
If there is a bit of good news, it comes in the latest hospitalization data. According to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, 288 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Saturday. That's down from the record high of 342 reported on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Of those hospitalized over the weekend, 72 were in the ICU, down from the record high of 90 reported on Wednesday.
For a closer look at the numbers and how they break down across the state's counties, check out our interactive map and timelines.
3:06 p.m.- Valley County schools moved to red category, Central District Health reports
Note: Central District Health updates school categories every Monday.
After a week of record-breaking new COVID-19 cases, Central District Health (CDH) has moved Valley County schools to the "red" category, meaning community transmission is very high within the district.
School districts in Ada, Elmore and Valley counties are in the red category. Boise County schools remain in the yellow category, meaning community transmission within the schools is moderately high.
Learn more here.
11:30 a.m. - Saint Alphonsus moving Nampa COVID-19 testing site to indoor clinic
Saint Alphonsus is moving its Nampa COVID-19 testing site from the Garrity Clinic to a new free-standing clinic on 12th Avenue Road.
The new location at 1524 12th Avenue Road in Nampa, just south of the Saint Alphonsus Emergency facility, opens Monday. Appointments are requested but the clinic will take drop-in clients, depending on availability and patient volume. Click here to make an appointment.
"With winter approaching, we decided to move COVID-19 testing indoors," said Dr. Mark Nassir, Saint Alphonsus Medical Group President. "The weather will make it difficult and uncomfortable for patients and our colleagues to continue with in-car testing. To allow us to safely continue to test patients, we are relocating to the 12th Avenue location, where we can use the entire building."
Testing at the Meridian Health Plaza COVID-19 will also be moved indoors starting Monday.
Sunday, November 8
6:31 p.m.- Nearly 700 new cases, 7 deaths reported Sunday
692 new cases of COVID-19 were reported throughout the Gem State. 648 of those reported are confirmed while the other 44 are probable. There are now 72,961 total cases. Of that number, 62,931 are confirmed.
Seven deaths were also reported Sunday. One death was in Canyon County, while Ada, Bonneville and Fremont counties reported two each. The statewide death toll is now 691.
An estimated 32,702 recoveries have been made.
Terminology:
- "Recoveries" are tracked by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The state says it "Is defined as the number of persons with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis who are alive 30 days post-onset (or referral date if onset is not available) based upon total cases, deaths, and any clinical info available."
- "Confirmed" cases refer to a person who was tested for COVID-19 and tested positive.
- "Probable" cases refer to a person who is exhibiting symptoms after coming in contact with a person who has a confirmed case. Though a probable case is not confirmed, the state will monitor the person for symptoms.
- "Total cases" refers to the number of confirmed and probable cases combined. We will always clarify how many of the total cases are confirmed and how many are probable in our daily updates.
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.
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