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.
Wednesday, December 9
5:59 p.m. - Idaho adds 2,229 total cases and over two dozen new deaths
The Gem State, based on data published by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the state's public health districts, added 1,838 new confirmed and 391 new probable cases on Wednesday, setting a new single-day record of total cases and confirmed cases reported.
Ada County was the state's largest hotspot, with 653 new cases reported - also a new record - followed by Bannock County's 164 and Canyon County's 133.
Idaho also added 37 new COVID-19-related deaths on Wednesday. However, Southwest District Health reported 12 new deaths in Canyon County that happened in October and November but did not specify the exact dates of the deaths.
Clearwater County reported its first death, leaving just three of Idaho's 44 counties without a single coronavirus-related death reported since the pandemic began spreading across the Gem State in March.
The deaths occurred in the following counties:
- Ada (3)
- Adams (1)
- Bannock (1)
- Benewah (1)
- Boundary (1)
- Canyon (12)
- Clearwater (2)
- Gem (1)
- Idaho (1)
- Kootenai (9)
- Minidoka (2)
- Owyhee (2)
- Washington (1)
Tuesday, December 8
5:57 p.m.- Over 2,000 new cases reported Tuesday, the highest single-day case count in Idaho
Following the early adjournment of the Central District Health board meeting, the Gem State added 2,043 new confirmed and probable cases to the statewide total. This marks the highest single-day case count since the pandemic began in March.
1,618 of the cases reported are confirmed while the remaining 425 are probable. Ada County added 499 new cases, followed by 324 new cases in Kootenai County. Canyon County added 208 new cases and Bonneville County added 160 new cases.
There are now 113,905 total cases in the Gem State. Of that number, 95,838 are confirmed.
25 new deaths were reported on Tuesday, including the first death reported in Oneida County:
- Bonneville- 6
- Canyon- 3
- Gooding- 3
- Blaine- 2
- Twin Falls- 2
- Bannock- 1
- Caribou- 1
- Cassia- 1
- Gem- 1
- Kootenai- 1
- Madison- 1
- Nez Perce- 1
- Oneida- 1
- Owyhee- 1
There are now only four counties in Idaho that have not reported any COVID-19 related deaths.
An estimated 44,314 have recovered.
3 p.m. -- Albertsons says there are no more free, at-home COVID-19 tests available to the public
Nikki Price, Albertsons Director of Pharmacy Operations Intermountain Division, says grant money from the Idaho State Board of Pharmacy has been used and there is no more state funds available at this time.
Anyone who wants a test can still purchase on one at the their local Albertsons pharmacy at a cost of $140.
Monday, December 7
6:22 p.m.- Nearly 1,500 new cases, 23 deaths reported Monday
1,497 new COVID-19 cases were added to the Gem State's total on Monday. 1,056 of those are confirmed while 441 are considered probable.
Ada and Kootenai counties each added over 250 new cases to their total, and Canyon County added over 120 cases.
There are now 111,893 confirmed and probable cases in Idaho. Of those cases, 94,220 are confirmed.
23 deaths were also reported on Monday. Here's how the deaths break down by county:
- Ada- 7
- Bonneville- 5
- Bannock- 3
- Kootenai- 3
- Bonner- 2
- Fremont- 1
- Nez Perce- 1
An estimated 43,926 recoveries have been made.
5:20 p.m. - Prison inmate who tested positive for COVID-19 dies at Boise hospital
The Idaho Department of Correction reports that a 63-year-old inmate who tested positive for COVID-19 has died.
The man was transferred from ISCI to a Boise hospital on Nov. 18. He was pronounced dead Monday morning.
He is the sixth person incarcerated in Idaho to die after testing positive for COVID-19.
Sunday, December 6
6:06 p.m.- Over 800 new cases reported Sunday
805 new COVID-19 cases were added to the statewide total on Sunday. 654 of those cases are confirmed while the remaining 151 were probable.
Sunday's report brought the statewide number of confirmed cases to 93,164. In total, Idaho has 110,510 confirmed and probable cases.
Three new deaths were reported Sunday. Ada, Canyon, and Payette each added one death to its countywide total. The death toll now stands at 1,040.
An estimated 43,380 have recovered.
4:23 p.m.- 2021 McCall Winter Carnival canceled due to rising COVID-19 cases
The McCall Area Chamber of Commerce announced on Sunday the 2021 McCall Winter Carnival has been canceled.
The decision was made due to rising COVID-19 cases, diminishing hospital capacity, and restrictions placed on public gatherings, according to a Facebook post.
"We simply cannot in good faith produce an event that goes against current restrictions on public gatherings and COVID safety measures," the post stated.
Read more here.
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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