BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Gov. Brad Little said Thursday that there are too many coronavirus infections and Idaho will remain in the fourth and final stage of his plan to reopen during the pandemic for at least another two weeks.

The Republican governor also reemphasized his plan for state-local collaborations in dealing with the pandemic, allowing local leaders to determine restrictions.

That continues his plan of allowing the state’s seven health districts and local officials to evaluate conditions in their areas and decide on restrictions with his oversight.

Little said local officials will best know how to respond.

Johns Hopkins University says that through Wednesday Idaho had 16,322 cases and 135 deaths.

Idaho failed to clear stage 4 due to falling short on a variety of metrics, including the number of visits to hospital emergency rooms from people with COVID-19 symptoms.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. But for some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.