SANDPOINT — Two new cases of novel coronavirus emerged in Kootenai County for the third consecutive day, according to the Panhandle Health District.

The two new cases bring Kootenai County’s count to 56. No new cases were logged in Bonner County, which has four cases of the virus which causes COVID-19.

The virus has not been detected in Boundary, Shoshone or Benewah counties, according to Panhandle Health.

No deaths in the Panhandle have been attributed to coronavirus, the health district said.

There are 26 residents over the age of 50 who have the virus in the region and there are 26 residents who are between the ages of 19-49. Eight minors in the Panhandle have contracted the virus.

Broken down by gender, 34 residents are male and 26 residents are female, according to the health district.

There have been five hospitalizations in the Panhandle because of coronavirus and the health district reports that 37 people are no longer being monitored.

A person is no longer being monitored when they have stayed home for the 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 seven days have passed since the symptoms first appeared, the health district said.

The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare reported on Wednesday that 36 new confirmed or probable cases, bringing the statewide total to 1,802 cases. The virus has killed 54 Idahoans, according to Health & Welfare.

There have been 162 hospitalizations across the state and 60 residents have been admitted to intensive-care units because of the virus, Health & Welfare said. There are 222 cases of coronavirus among healthcare workers.

The Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services reported on Wednesday that two new cases of coronavirus emerged, bringing the statewide total to 439. There are seven cases in Lincoln County and none in Sanders County, according to the state.

The Northeast Tri-County Health District said on Wednesday that Stevens County picked up its ninth case. All told, there are 12 cases, with two cases in Pend Oreille County and one in Ferry County. One person in Stevens County perished from the virus, according to NETCHD.

The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced on Wednesday that the Health Resources & Services Administration is awarding Idaho $2.3 million to combat coronavirus in rural communities.

The funding was awarded to the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare as an investment to support small rural hospitals.

“Today’s funding gives rural hospitals in Idaho critical support to build up their capacity for fighting COVID-19 in their communities,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “This funding, secured by President Trump from Congress, will build on historic efforts by the Trump Administration to help all Americans in Idaho access the care they need during the pandemic.”

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.