According to the Idaho Coronavirus information page, as of March 30, there are 310 confirmed cases of the virus and six reported deaths in Idaho. According to the Eastern Idaho Public Health website, there are 10 cases within Eastern Idaho including two in Madison County and one in Fremont County.

According to the Center for Disease Control website, the number of cases in the nation has grown exponentially this month. On March 4 the number of confirmed cases in the United States was at 98 as of March 29, just 25 days later, that number raced to 140,904.

There are currently 2,405 reported deaths caused by this disease within the United States.

In response to the rapid spread of the virus at least 22 states have issued stay-home and quarantine orders. The CDC recently advised that New York, New Jersey and Connecticut restrict non-essential travel.

“The CDC urges residents of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days effective immediately,” according to the CDC website. “This Domestic Travel Advisory does not apply to employees of critical infrastructure industries, including but not limited to trucking, public health professionals, financial services, and food supply. These employees of critical infrastructure, as defined by the Department of Homeland Security have a special responsibility to maintain normal work schedule. The Governors of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut will have full discretion to implement this Domestic Travel Advisory.”

The virus has also caused a surge in unemployment across the state.

According to a recent press release from Idaho Department of Labor, there were 13,341 new claims for unemployment filed between March 15 and the 21 which adds up to a 1200% increase in just six days.

"Our priority is to get benefits out to those who are eligible as quickly as possible and help Idaho employers who are hiring find the staff they need as soon as possible." Idaho Department of Labor Director Jani Revier said.

Locally many cities and counties have issued emergency declarations not to further fear but to acquire necessary funding and limit employee access to the public, further limiting the spread of the virus.

For example, the City of Rexburg has restricted access to playground equipment at its parks but keep them open for those who want to walk the parks. The stipulation is they not congregate in groups of more than four people and remain six feet away from others.

Regular services are still available but government agencies are requesting residents make appointments to come into the office or call them for questions.

Local law enforcement has notified the public that although the governor has asked residents to stay home they are not looking to pull people over and ask where they are going and for what reason. Police departments like the St. Anthony Police Department has orders to only pull over a vehicle when necessary and to limit contact with residents.

“Please understand that Governor Little is not asking Law Enforcement to enforce the stay-at-home order,” read a Facebook post from the Madison County Sheriff's Office. “The goal is to preserve public health and raise awareness so that citizens self-regulate their day to day activities to lessen exposure by home isolation.”

For more information about the virus visit the Eastern Idaho Public Health website at https://eiph.idaho.gov/