SOUTHEAST IDAHO – Southeastern Idaho Public Health (SIPH) and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) have confirmed a positive case in southeast Idaho of novel coronavirus in a 37 year old male. This is the first case for Southeastern Idaho Public Health.

The individual is home recovering from mild symptoms and did not require hospitalization. His movement history is being losely evaluated. Additional case-specific information about this individual is confidential and will not be released.

“We are taking steps to reduce the impact this situation has on the citizens of southeastern Idaho. Our team is working tirelessly to identify those who might have been exposed and are making sure they are evaluated,” said Maggie Mann, SIPH District Director.

SIPH, in collaboration with key stakeholders, is monitoring the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation very closely, both domestically and internationally. We are working with hospitals, healthcare providers, county emergency managers, first responders, schools as well as local and state governments.

“We understand that this is unsettling,” said Mann. “However, we all must do our part to prevent the spread of this virus.”

Prevention methods include:

- If you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible.

- Avoiding people who are sick

- Washing your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

- Covering your nose and mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze.

- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

- Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with germs using a disinfecting solution.

If you believe you have been exposed, make sure to self-isolate. If you need medical attention, please call your healthcare provider in advance of a visit to discuss your symptoms and next steps. Public health does not do any testing for COVID-19 or store testing kits. SIPH’s focus is on slowing the spread of COVID-19, to ensure the protection of our community.

As a reminder, it is still cold and flu season, and you do not need to seek medical attention for a mild respiratory illness such as a cold. However, if you have had close contact with a person with known COVID-19 or have recently traveled to an area with ongoing spread and you develop fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider and ask for instructions about how to seek care. They may order appropriate testing, and samples will be sent to the state lab or to a private lab as needed.

At this time, SIPH does not recommend testing of people who do not have symptoms. Because of the limited number of tests across the nation, there is a need to preserve them for the sickest and those with the highest risk of complications from an infection.

SIPH has opened a call center to field questions from the community and will be open Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can reach the hotline at

(208) 234-5875.

For Idaho-specific information about the novel coronavirus, please visit https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/. For southeast Idaho information, please visit siphidaho.org.