COVID-19 cases stay flat in area
KEITH KINNAIRD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 years, 10 months AGO
FILE - This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Health authorities are preparing for a possible pandemic as they work to contain a respiratory illness in China that's caused by a new virus. Governments are working to contain the virus by limiting travel, isolating sick people and keeping travelers returning from the affected region under quarantine to watch for symptoms. (CDC via AP, File)
SANDPOINT — No new cases of novel coronavirus emerged in the region over the weekend, the Panhandle Health District said on Monday.
There are 66 confirmed cases in the Panhandle, with four in Bonner County and 62 in Kootenai County. The virus, which causes COVID-19, has not been detected in Boundary, Shoshone or Benewah counties, the health district said.
Broken down by age, 31 of the cases involve people between the ages of 19-49, while 26 cases involve people 50 years old or older. Nine cases involve people below the age of majority.
Broken down by gender, 38 are male and 28 are female, according to the health district.
The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare reported 27 new confirmed or probable cases, pushing the statewide total to 2,106 cases. The virus is blamed for 64 deaths in Idaho, according to Health & Welfare.
The Northeast Tri-County Health District in Washington state said there 12 cases in its region, with two cases in Pend Oreille County and nine cases in Stevens County. There is one case in Stevens County, according to NETCHD. The virus has killed one Stevens County resident.
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced on May 1 the extension of the stay-at-home order until the end of May although some counties may open earlier.
In the plan that was announced on Friday, reopening businesses and social functions will be rolled out in four phases. Each phase would be spaced minimally three weeks apart to allow public health officials the opportunity to monitor for new cases. It is highly likely that more time between phases will be needed to ensure there is not increases in disease transmission rates.
An important aspect of the reopening plan allows counties (with a population of less than 75,000) with no cases occurring within the preceding three weeks to May 4, the option to request a variance to move to Phase 2 before the rest of the state. Ferry County and Pend Oreille County met the preliminary criteria for that option. The last confirmed case of COVID-19 occurred March 17 in Ferry County and April 13 in Pend Oreille County.
Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.
MORE COVID-19 STORIES
COVID-19 cases rise in North Idaho; none reported in Boundary County
Bonners Ferry Herald | Updated 4 years, 9 months ago
ARTICLES BY KEITH KINNAIRD
Revett seeks clarity on Rock Creek mine status
A status conference is pending in federal court to determine if developers of the proposed Rock Creek mine can initiate development of the project.
Former pastor imprisoned for touching young girl
SANDPOINT, Idaho — A district judge declined to go along with a plea agreement which proposed a limited jail sentence for a former pastor who pleaded guilty to fondling a Priest Lake girl several years ago.
Judge orders life sentence in Bristow murder
Acosta ordered to serve life in prison for Bristow killing