PHD urges caution as COVID-19 cases go up
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This virus was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP)
SANDPOINT — There are 97 confirmed cases of novel coronavirus in the region, the Panhandle Health District said on Wednesday.
There are 78 cases in Kootenai County, seven in Benewah County and five in Bonner County. There are also seven cases involving patients of undetermined residency, according to the health district.
The virus, which causes COVID-19, has not been detected in Boundary or Shoshone counties, the health district said.
The coronavirus has caused 10 hospitalizations and 68 people are no longer being monitored by public health officials. There are a total of 29 active cases, the health district said in a post to Facebook.
“Community spread has been identified in Benewah County, making it the second county in our area to announce community spread. Kootenai County also has identified community spread,” the health district said in the social media post.
Community spread means at least one person has been infected with the virus and contact tracing was unable to determine how or where they became infected. The individuals did not travel and had no identified contact with another person infected with the virus, according to PHD.
“PHD urges all residents to assume the virus could be anywhere in the community and surrounding counties,” the district said.
The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare reported on Wednesday that it tallied 57 new confirmed or probable cases of the virus, pushing the statewide total to 2,990 cases. The virus is blamed for claiming 83 lives in the state, Health & Welfare said.
The Northeast Tri-County Health District in Washington state said on Wednesday there are 17 cases of coronavirus. Thirteen are located in Stevens County, while Pend Oreille and Ferry counties have three cases and one case, respectively.
NETCHD officials said on Wednesday they are applying to advance into Stage 3 of Safe Start, Washington’s phased reopening plan. The application was submitted Wednesday and is under review by Washington State Department of Health Secretary John Wiseman.
”We expect to hear back soon. Until the approval to advance is received, each county (Ferry, Pend Oreille and Stevens) remain in Phase 2,” the health district said in a news release.
The state of Montana notched two new confirmed cases of the virus, edging the statewide total to 525.
Lincoln County has seven cases and Sanders County has no cases, according to the Montana Department of Public Health.
Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.