BONNERS FERRY — While for the third day in a row, Kootenai County saw two new confirmed COVID-19 cases announced by Panhandle Health District, Boundary County has yet to see a confirmed novel coronavirus case.

Kootenai County had a total of 56 cases, while Bonner County had a total of four, bringing the regional tally to 60 cases in the region.

The virus that causes COVID-19 has not been detected in Boundary, Shoshone or Benewah counties, according to the health district.

Twenty-six of the regional cases involve residents over the age of 50, while 26 involve people between the ages of 19-49. Eight cases involve minors. Thirty-four cases involve men, while 26 involve women, the health district said.

The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare reported 30 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to 1,766 lab-confirmed or probable cases. The virus is blamed for 51 deaths in Idaho.

The Northeast Tri-County Health District said there were 11 cases in eastern Washington, with eight cases in Stevens County, two cases in Pend Oreille County and one case in Ferry County. A total of 717 people in the tri-county area have tested negative for the virus, NETCHD said on Tuesday. It’s blamed for one death in Stevens County.

No deaths have been reported in Pend Oreille or Ferry counties, according to the health district.

The state of Montana said there are 437 confirmed cases of coronavirus, which is being attributed to 12 deaths. There are seven cases in Lincoln County and none in Sanders County, according to the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services.

The U.S. Chamber Foundation announced on Monday it is launching the Save Small Business Fund (savesmallbusiness.com). This effort will provide onetime grants of up to $5,000 to businesses with 3-20 employees which are impacted by COVID-19.

Of the total number of confirmed cases, the health district is no longer monitoring 37 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.

Epidemiologists with PHD are working to investigate cases of possible contact. All household members of confirmed cases have been asked to self-isolate at home for a prescribed period of time. If other people are found to have been exposed, health officials will provide guidance to these individuals and they will be asked to self-monitor for the development of symptoms.

Beginning Monday, April 20, Panhandle Health District revised its hotline hours to reflect a decrease in the health district’s call volume. The hotline — 1-877-415-5225 — will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Voicemails will be checked each weekday morning and on Saturdays at 1 p.m.

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.

CONFIRMED PHD CASES: 60

No longer monitored: 37

Hospitalized: 5

Kootenai County — 56 cases, 0 deaths

Benewah County — 0 cases, 0 deaths

Bonner County — 4 cases, 0 deaths

Boundary County — 0 cases, 0 deaths

Shoshone — 0 cases, 0 deaths

TOTAL — 60 cases, 0 deaths

COVID-19 BY AGE GROUP

18 years and under — 8

19 to 49 years — 26

50 years and over — 26

COVID-19 BY SEX

Female — 26

Male — 34

Unknown — 0

Information: http://panhandlehealthdistrict.org/covid-19