Local virus case count stays static
(Courtesy photo) Governor Brad Little visited the staging area in Boise on Tuesday where Idaho is accepting and distributing hundreds of thousands of medical supplies provided by private donors, the federal government and other sources.
(Photo courtesy DAVE SIMS) Shannon Pittman looks through the Plexiglas sneeze guard from the driver’s seat. She is SPOT’s assistant director.
SANDPOINT — No new cases of novel coronavirus were detected in Bonner or Kootenai counties, the Panhandle Health District said on Tuesday.
The tally for cases in the state’s five northern counties remained at 49, with 45 in Kootenai County and four in Bonner County, according to Panhandle Health. There remains no confirmed cases in Boundary, Shoshone or Benewah counties, the health district said.
The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare reported 11 new lab-confirmed cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to 1,464 cases. The death toll in Idaho increased from 33 to 39 on Tuesday, according to Health & Welfare.
The Selkirk Pend Oreille Transit has teamed up with Northwest Autobody to fit SPOT buses with Plexiglas sneeze guards to keep drivers and riders safe.
“We want everyone to be safe,” said Dave Sims, SPOT administrator. “We are doing everything we can to serve our communities so it made sense to put on an added layer of protection.”
The suggestion for the super-sized sneeze guards came from the Panhandle Health District but design and implementation was left up to Northwest Autobody.
“We needed to make sure we used enough Plexiglas, had to put in a strong frame to keep the plexiglass in place, plus a hinge and had to basically bolt it to the bus, “ said NWAB co-owner Cory Donenfeld.
Governor Brad Little visited a staging area in Boise on Tuesday where Idaho is accepting and distributing medical supplies provided by private donors, the federal government and other sources.
“Right now, Idaho has enough personal protective equipment for our healthcare workers’ needs, and we are continuing to secure more medical supplies to further prepare us,” Little said. “The protection of our healthcare workers is a big part of preserving healthcare capacity, and ample personal protective equipment keeps them healthy and safe. Our goal from the start has been to slow the spread of coronavirus to protect lives and preserve healthcare capacity so we can get back to normal as quickly as possible.”
Little’s office reported that the state has a stockpile of 36,842 gowns, 44,888 face shields, 887,975 gloves, 5,518 coveralls, 100,690 N95 masks, 215,358 surgical masks and 88,992 sets of safety goggles.
The state of Montana, meanwhile, reported Tuesday five new cases of coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 399 cases. Lincoln and Sanders counties, both of which border Idaho, have seven and zero cases, respectively. Seven Montanans have died from the virus and there were 24 active hospitalizations.
The Northeast Tri-County Health District in Washington state reported nine cases within Pend Oreille, Stevens and Ferry counties. Pend Oreille and Ferry counties each have one case, while the other seven cases are located in Stevens County, where one person has succumbed to the virus, according to NETCHD.
Idaho Public Television unveiled on Tuesday its Classroom Idaho: Learn@Home program, which connects students with certified Idaho teachers so they can finish the balance of this school year.
The same lessons will also be available in playlists for students with connectivity at IdahoPTV’s YouTube channel.
Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.
