BOISE, Idaho — Scroll down to see 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.
Friday, November 27
12:32 p.m.- Idaho COVID-19 positivity rate nearing 20%
The latest COVID-19 positivity rate data shows the statewide rate nearing 20%.
As of last week (Nov. 15-21), Idaho's positivity rate increased 1.2%, moving from 18.2% to 19.4%.
The number of tests performed decreased from the previous week as well. During the week of Nov. 15-21, 39,922 tests were performed, down from 41,100 the week before.
Thursday, November 26
12:38 p.m.- No new COVID-19 numbers on Thanksgiving
The Idaho Dept. of Health and Welfare will not be updating the COVID-19 data dashboard on Thanksgiving. The counts from Thursday will be included in Friday's report.
Wednesday, November 25
6:28 p.m. - 1,593 new confirmed and probable cases added on Wednesday, Idaho's death toll tops 900
Based on data released by the state and its public health districts, Idaho added 1,175 new confirmed cases and 419 new probable cases on Wednesday. The Gem State has reported 82,413 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic reached Idaho in March.
Idaho's death toll since the pandemic began now stands at 901. Twenty new deaths were reported on Wednesday. Here is where those deaths occurred – Ada (6), Bannock (1), Bonneville (1), Canyon (2), Franklin (1), Jefferson (10, Kootenai (3), Latah (1), Twin Falls (4).
A total of 39,199 people have recovered from the virus.
Ada County reported the most COVID-19 cases at 276, followed by Canyon at 228, and Kootenai with 125.
The latest hospital numbers as of Monday, Nov. 23, show 453 hospitalized with COVID-19, and a record high of 108 persons in the ICU. This marks the first time that there has been more than 100 people in intensive care units with the virus.
Tuesday, November 24
8:20 p.m. - All Nampa schools to go fully remote
The Nampa School Board voted on Tuesday to move all schools in the district to online-only learning through at least January 13.
Students will return virtually from Christmas break on Jan. 5. According to district spokesperson Kathleen Tuck, the school board plans to meet early in the month to consider the possibility of returning to hybrid learning on Jan. 14.
The decision comes less than a week after the district announced that five schools were moving to virtual learning through the end of Thanksgiving break due to confirmed COVID-19 cases among staff members.
The board also voted to postpone youth sports and extracurricular activities until at least Dec. 16. In a news release, Tuck said the decision was based on recommendations from Southwest District Health and medical professionals, as well as district high school administrators and athletic directors.
That postponement of sports and extracurricular activities goes into effect at midnight on Nov. 29. Practices will be allowed to continue following Stage 2 protocols. The board will convene on Dec. 16 to consider the next steps.
6:20 p.m. - Record number of cases reported; Ada and Canyon counties Idaho's top hot spots
Idaho added 1,490 confirmed and 341 probable cases on Tuesday, setting a new single-day total of 1,831 cases reported in one day, according to data collected from the state's public health districts and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. There have been 81,238 confirmed and 94,730 total cases of COVID-19 reported in Idaho since the pandemic began in March.
Ada County reported the most cases with 271, followed by Canyon County with 262 and Kootenai County's 183 new cases.
Idaho also reported its seventh MISC-C cases on Tuesday.
Twelve new deaths were reported on Tuesday, bringing the state's death toll from the pandemic to 881. Those deaths happened in the following counties:
- Bingham County (1)
- Bonneville County (2)
- Canyon County (4)
- Fremont County (1)
- Nez Perce County (1)
- Twin Falls County (3)
Monday, November 23
6:55 p.m. - 1,627 new confirmed and probable cases added on Monday, 20 deaths reported
Based on data released by the state and its public health districts, Idaho added 1,437 new confirmed cases and 190 new probable cases on Monday. The Gem State has reported 79,748 confirmed cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic reached Idaho in March.
Ada and Canyon counties continue to be two of the state's top hot spots for new cases. Of the new cases on Monday, 239 were in Ada County, 223 were in Canyon County, 136 were in Clearwater County and 90 were in Kootenai County.
The graph below shows the 14-day moving average of new cases has been steadily climbing since mid-September.
20 new deaths were also reported statewide on Monday: Ada (5), Boundary (1), Idaho (1), Kootenai (3), Nez Perce (2), Payette (1), Twin Falls (7); bringing the state's death toll to 869 since the pandemic began.
Latest hospital numbers as of 11/20: 408 hospitalized with COVID-19; 91 in ICU. Both numbers are down slightly from record highs reported in recent weeks.
Sunday, November 22
5:45 p.m. - Idaho adds 828 total cases of the coronavirus, bringing the state closer to 92,000 cases
Based on data released by the state and its public health districts, Idaho added 188 probable and 640 confirmed cases on Sunday. The Gem State has reported 91,653 total and 78,311 confirmed cases of covid.
One new death was reported in Bonneville County, bringing the state's death toll to 851 since the pandemic began in March.
The state's two-week average of daily new cases reported increased to 1,358.214.
Saturday, November 21
6:09 p.m. - Idaho adds 946 total cases and two deaths on Saturday
The Gem State added 108 probable and 838 confirmed cases of covid, which pushes Idaho over 90,000 total cases since the pandemic began. Idaho has reported 77,671 confirmed cases.
One person died in Canyon County and another died in Bonneville County. Idaho's death toll from the virus is now 851.
This week, ending today, Canyon County has reported the most cases in the state with 1,020. Ada County reported the second most with 971, followed by Kootenai County's 806.
Estimated recoveries increases to 37,504.
Friday, November 20
5:55 p.m. - Idaho reports 1,624 total new cases, over 425 reported in Ada County
The Gem State added 1,324 new confirmed and 300 new probable cases of COVID-19 on Friday. Idaho has reported 76,833 confirmed and 89,764 total cases since the pandemic began in Idaho back in March.
Ada County reported the most cases with 437, followed by Canyon County's 124 new cases and Bonneville County's 93.
A record-high 404 people are currently hospitalized and 89 people with the virus are in the ICU, down from the record of 68 on Nov. 11.
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.
Facts not fear: More on coronavirus
See our latest updates in our YouTube playlist: