COVID-19 case added to tally in North Idaho
KEITH KINNAIRD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 years, 2 months AGO
SANDPOINT — The Panhandle Health District reported one new case of novel coronavirus in Kootenai County.
The new case brings Kootenai County’s tally to 50 cases. Bonner County, which has four cases, recorded no new cases for the seventh consecutive day.
The virus that causes COVID-19 has not been detected in Boundary, Shoshone or Benewah counties, according to PHD. The coronavirus has not claimed any lives in the five northern counties, the health district said.
Of the total number of confirmed cases, the health district is no longer monitoring 24 individuals. A person is no longer being monitored when they have stayed home for our recommended period of time AND have not had a fever for at least 72 hours (that is three full days of no fever without the use medicine that reduces fevers) AND other symptoms have improved (for example, when your cough or shortness of breath have improved) AND at least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared
Hospitalizations on the website is a tally of total hospitalizations of confirmed cases. This does not mean these patients are currently hospitalized, only that they were hospitalized for COVID-19 and are also confirmed positive with COVID-19.
PHD will make a daily announcement if there are confirmed cases within the Panhandle at noon, 7 days a week.
PHD officials warn there is community transmission in Kootenai County, with some of the confirmed cases are not connected to travel or contact with a confirmed case.
“We continue to urge the public to adhere to the stay-home order made by Governor Little and the 30-day slow-the-spread guidance by the federal government,” PHD officials said in a press release. “We know practicing social distancing strategies can slow the spread of this virus, but we need everyone to do their part.”
The Panhandle area includes the five northern counties — Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah, Bonner, and Boundary.
People ill with coronavirus in other states and countries have reported mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. If community members have these symptoms and are concerned, they should call PHD’s call center at 1-877-415-5225 or their provider. PHD will provide an over-the-phone assessment to determine if someone should be tested. Please call, do not come into PHD or your provider’s office. Tested individuals must stay home until test results are received. If the test is positive, all household members must self-isolate at home for a recommended period of time.
Individuals may also call the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-330-3010.
The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare recorded 46 confirmed or probable cases of coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 1,655. The virus has killed 43 Idahoans, according to Health & Welfare.
Health & Welfare said 453 infected with the virus have recovered and 151 people have been hospitalized. Fifty-three cases involved admissions to intensive-care units and 187 healthcare workers have contracted the virus.
The Northeast Tri-County Health District in Washington said on Friday there are 11 cases spread across Pend Oreille, Stevens and Ferry counties. Stevens County has eight cases, while Pend Oreille County has two cases and Ferry County has one.
The Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services reported 422 confirmed cases and eight fatalities in the Big Sky state. There are seven cases in Lincoln County and none in Sanders County.
Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.
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