2% and falling
BILL BULEY | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 9 months AGO
Bill Buley covers the city of Coeur d'Alene for the Coeur d’Alene Press. He has worked here since January 2020, after spending seven years on Kauai as editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He enjoys running. | March 18, 2022 1:00 AM
COVID-19 positivity rates are closing in on zero in North Idaho.
According to the state's COVID-19 dashboard, Kootenai County's positivity rate was 2.4% based on 1,024 PCR tests for the week ending March 12. That's the lowest since August 2020 and the seventh-straight week of decline. Less than two months ago, Kootenai County's positivity rate was 40%.
The Panhandle Health District's positivity rate was 2.3% based on 1,500 PCR tests, the lowest since June 13, 2020 when it was 1.3%.
The state's positivity rate was 2.5% based on 18,751 PCR tests. That's the lowest in the two years the state has tracked positivity rates.
Statewide hospitalizations were down to 104 on Thursday, the lowest since mid-July.
Deaths attributed to the virus are also down.
In the past months, 35 COVID-related deaths were reported in the PHD.
In comparison, from. Oct. 17 to Nov. 17, there were 139 COVID-related deaths reported in the PHD.
State health officials say they like the downward trend but say there could be a COVID-19 surge, so they remain "cautiously optimistic."
ARTICLES BY BILL BULEY
Nonprofit foundation helps family become homeowners for first time
Nonprofit foundation helps family become homeowners for first time
The Young Family’s Foundation launched about a year ago with a mission "to empower young, hardworking families to achieve the dream of home ownership. Even if a family saved $25,000, they would still be $19,000 short of the down payment needed to buy a $550,000 home, which is the median price in Kootenai County. It’s estimated that only about 20% of area households can afford to buy a home.
Day of Remembrance highlights being homeless in North Idaho, people encouraged to help
Day of Remembrance highlights being homeless in North Idaho, people encouraged to help
According to the 2025 Point in Time Homeless Count in January, Idaho has 2,697 homeless people, down slightly from the previous year. Most, 56%, were adults males between the ages of 18 and 54. In Idaho's Region One, which includes Kootenai, Bonner, Boundary, Shoshone and Benewah counties, there were 246 homeless in the PIT 2025 count.
Mayor Woody McEvers lauded for service to Coeur d'Alene
Mayor Woody McEvers lauded for service to Coeur d'Alene
Woody McEvers praised for selfless service