x
Skip Navigation
Breaking News
More () »
The 208

COVID-19 related hospitalizations continue to rise in Idaho, many under 50

St. Luke's vice president of medical affairs says 75% of positive tests from last week were found in individuals under the age of 50.

More Videos

Next up in 5

Example video title will go here for this video

BOISE, Idaho — When Idaho confirmed its first case of COVID-19 in March, the public was told that facial coverings were not necessary. However, as more research was conducted, the CDC found that wearing a mask is key in slowing the spread of the virus.

The numbers Idaho has seen in the last week, however, have not shown not everyone is doing that.

In early June, the state was averaging around 30 new confirmed cases daily. Since last week, Idaho has ranged from 200 to 300 new cases every day, with record numbers set statewide over the Fourth of July weekend.

Now, Idaho is starting to see those numbers translate into hospital visits, while those who have contracted COVID-19 are getting younger.

Dr. Joshua Kern, St. Luke's vice president of medical affairs, said that 75% of positive COVID-19 cases were found in individuals under the age of 50. 

Many of these patients have had to be hospitalized due to experiencing difficulty breathing, according to Kern.

"What we've seen over the last approximately week to two weeks is a four- to five-fold increase in the number of COVID patients that we have in the hospital," Kern said. "And that gives you pause."

Kern said he feels there is a statewide impression that only older and health compromised individuals are being hospitalized due to COVID-19 complications. The data, however, shows otherwise.

"We just had a young person being admitted to our Boise campus who was very, very ill," Kern said. "It's concerning."

RELATED: Coronavirus test positivity rates rise across Idaho

RELATED: Why there's a delay in reporting Idaho's coronavirus hospitalizations

Hospitals in Idaho are now seeing an increase in the number of patients who need to be admitted to the hospital due to COVID-19, according to Kern.

"Over the weekend, it was almost 400 a day in the state of Idaho being diagnosed with COVID," Kern said. "Early studies suggested about 20% of people will need to be admitted. It's probably south of that because we have more testing."

Kern said hospitals in Idaho could reach the point of admitting nearly 40 people to the hospital every day. Numbers like that would quickly fill hospital beds.

"We can hope that the numbers start to turn the corner because people stop spreading the virus," Kern said. 

Idaho could be in for a punch in the gut if the spread of COVID-19 is not slowed.

"My own social media feed would suggest that people were barbecuing over the weekend with no care about COVID," Kern said. "I also know of a couple examples of very clear asymptomatic spread of the virus, meaning people spread the virus before they were truly showing symptoms."

In terms of healthcare, Kern said Idaho is in a better position now than when the first surge in positive cases appeared. He added that hospitals are now better equipped with the necessary equipment and the staff now has a better understanding of how to care for COVID-19 patients.

However, Kern believes we are in a worse position in terms of the public not taking necessary precautions to stop the spread of the virus.

"If we were all barbecuing over the Fourth of July and had been exposed to the virus but didn't know we had it, then the explosion in the numbers over the next 10 days or so could be pretty significant," Kern said.

RELATED: These Idaho cities are requiring masks to be worn in public

RELATED: 239 scientists: Coronavirus can spread through air; urge WHO to acknowledge

Watch more of The 208:

See all of the latest episodes of KTVB's newest show in our YouTube playlist:

Join 'The 208' conversation:

Before You Leave, Check This Out