COVID-19 cases stay at 39 in N. Idaho
This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses.
(Image courtesy CDC)
SANDPOINT — Novel coronavirus cases in the Idaho Panhandle stayed unchanged at 39, Panhandle Health District officials announced on the agency’s website.
Thirty-seven of the cases are in Kootenai County and two in Bonner County, which includes a case which was announded Friday. The health district also reported the eight of the region’s novel coronavirus cases are no longer being monitored. PHD officials said that health officials aren’t using the term “recovered” because it could be “misleading as we don’t know if a person can contract COVID-19 more than once,” they said on the district’s website.
Instead, the health district is using the phrase “no longer monitoring” to indicate that when an individual has stayed home for the recommended period of time, has not had a fever for at least 72 hours, and other symptoms have improved. In addition, the phrase also indicates that at least 7 days have passed since the individual’s symptoms first appeared.
The Panhandle area includes the five northern counties — Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah, Bonner, and Boundary.
People ill with coronavirus in other states and countries have reported mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.
No cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in Boundary, Shoshone and Benewah counties, the health district said.
Eighteen Panhandle residents who are infected are above the age of 50, according to the health district. Sixteen of the infected are between the ages of 18-49 and five are under the age of 18.
Of the 39 Panhandle cases, 22 involve males and 17 involve females, the health district said.
The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare logged 64 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday, bringing the statewide tally to 1,077 confirmed cases. Ten people in Idaho have died because of the disease, according to Health & Welfare.
With the state’s schools going online, Pend Oreille Arts Council designed a Kaleidoscope program with instructions and art supplies for students to work with at home. The kits will be provided free of charge to all the students that want them.
“In addition of being a benefit to the students, it is of equal benefit to the parents who are also at home with their active children,” Carol Deaner, POAC president, said.
To help implement and expand the project to all students while they are at home as part of the state’s soft closure of school’s and Gov. Brad Little’s “Stay Home” order, Deaner said donations are being accepted. Each kits cost $10. Donations can be sent to POAC at P.O. Box 1694, Sandpoint, ID 83864 or go online to artinsandpoint.org and click on the donate button.
Due to states of emergency declared by federal, state and local officials and Idaho’s “Stay Home” order, the Northern Lights Board of
Directors voted to postpone the utility’s 85th annual business meeting, scheduled for May 9.
“The health of our community is our top priority,” the board said in a recent press release. “Thanks for your patience as we work together to reduce the risk of this disease spreading in our area. We will reschedule the meeting as soon as it is safe to do so.”
The Community Assistance League extended its grant application period to Tuesday, April 7. The application can be found at CALSandpoint.org or by contacting Tracy Gibson at CALSandpointGrants@gmail.com
The Idaho Community Foundation announced on Friday that the COVID-19 Response & Recovery Fund for Idaho has already received more than $1 million in commitments from foundations, companies and individuals throughout the state.
To give or learn more visist idahocf.org/covid-19.
U.S. Customs & Border Protection are advising motorists engaged in essential travel that the port of Porthill, which is currently open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week. The temporary operating hours will be from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.
Hours are also being reduced at six ports of entry in Montana. The affected ports of entry include Raymond, Opheim. Morgan, Turner, Del Bonita and Piegan.
Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee. Caroline Lobsinger can be reached by email at clobsinger@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @CarolDailyBee.