In the last 48 hours, the number of coronavirus tests circulating through both public and private labs in Idaho has leapt by at least 25 percent, while the number of positive Idahoans has inched into double-digits.

On Tuesday morning, the state of Idaho reported 350 tests that had been swabbed, performed and analyzed. On Wednesday morning, that number rose to 468. Of those, 11 have tested positive, all in southern Idaho counties.

“This is a very challenging and uncertain time,” Gov. Brad Little said in a Wednesday morning press conference. “But I want to ensure Idahoans we’re working around the clock to expand access to testing and ensure we can handle the many, many aspects of our lives that are impacted by this situation.”

The governor said Idaho will abide by White House and Centers for Disease Control guidelines by encouraging people from now to the end of March to refrain from visiting nursing homes and long-term health care facilities (unless to provide critical assistance), avoid discretionary travel, avoid social gatherings, work from home when possible, practice good hygiene and take advantage of drive-thru restaurant services.

“Our focus remains the same,” Little said, “to slow the spread of the coronavirus for two main reasons: first to protect the elderly and health-compromised, and second to preserve capacity in our health care system.”

Little emphasized Wednesday — just as he has throughout the coronavirus crisis that has infected more than 217,000 people and killed at least 8,200 worldwide — that Idahoans should respond with calm, compassion and neighborly concern.

“I know this situation is very hard on a lot of Idahoans,” Little said. “I urge us all to think about each other right now.”

Little also urged Idahoans to rally their resources for health care professionals and first responders.

“If you know a health care or public safety worker who needs child care or needs help taking care of things at home, reach out to them,” Little said. “We absolutely need to maintain a strong health care and public safety workforce right now.”