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Four new COVID-19 cases, PHD reports

by KEITH KINNAIRD
News editor | June 3, 2020 1:00 AM

SANDPOINT — Four new confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus turned up in the region, the Panhandle Health District said on Tuesday.

The health district said there are 94 cases, but the residency of six infected people was undetermined.

Kootenai County has 75 confirmed cases, while Bonner and Benewah counties have five and eight cases, respectively. The virus, which causes COVID-19, has not been detected in Boundary or Shoshone counties, according to the health district.

The virus caused nine hospitalizations and 68 people who tested positive for the virus are no longer being monitored by public health officials.

The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare reported on Tuesday there were 27 new confirmed or probable cases of coronavirus, boosting the statewide total to 2,933 cases. The virus is blamed for 83 deaths in the state, Health & Welfare said.

The Northeast Tri-County Health District in Washington state, meanwhile, reported two new cases in Stevens County on Tuesday. One of the infected individuals lives north of Colville while the other lives south of Colville, the health district said.

Both individuals are safely self-isolating at home, according to NETCHD.

“NETCHD staff is notifying potential close contacts and these individuals will be given additional guidance and advised of precautions they should take,” the health district said in a statement.

The district notes that non-essential travel for permissible activities is allowed under Stage 2 of reopening, although it is cautioning residents about traveling to other counties which have recently moved to Stage 2 as there has been an influx in cases in some of those counties.

“We are seeing the effects of reopening businesses and allowing small gatherings in a limited capacity, which was anticipated, but unfortunately COVID-19 is still here,” the district said.

The state of Montana reported four new cases of the virus, bringing the statewide total to 523. There are seven cases in Lincoln County and none in Sanders County, according to the Montana Department of Public Health.

There have been 17 deaths and 67 hospitalizations in Montana because of the virus.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.