COVID-19 case count stays at 4
(Image courtesy CDC) This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses.
SANDPOINT — Thursday marked the sixth consecutive day where no new cases of novel coronavirus turned up in Bonner County.
Bonner County has had four cases, while Kootenai County has had 49 cases, according to the Panhandle Health District. No cases have emerged in Boundary, Shoshone or Benewah counties.
The health district is also scaling back the hours of its COVID-19 hotline (877-415-5225). Starting Monday, the hotline will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Voicemails will be checked each weekday morning and on Saturdays at 1 p.m.
“We have decided to make this adjustment to our hours because of the decrease in our call volume. If we begin to receive an increase we will adjust our hours accordingly,” health district spokeswoman Katherine Hoyer said on Thursday.
Idaho reported 22 new confirmed or probable cases of coronavirus on Thursday, bringing the statewide total to 1,609 cases. The disease is blamed for taking 41 lives in the Gem State.
The Northeast Tri-County Health District said on Thursday that a second case of coronavirus emerged in Pend Oreille County. Ferry County has one case and Stevens County has seven, according to NETCHD.
“The individual who tested positive, in the greater Newport area, is self-isolating at home. NETCHD is notifying potential close contacts and these individuals will be given additional guidance and advised of precautions they should take,” the health district said.
Northeast Tri-County officials added that the virus is expected to peak in the coming weeks, which underscores the importance of Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, which has been extended to May 5.
Montana’s Department of Public Health & Human Services said 11 new cases of coronavirus were detected, bringing the state’s total to 415. Seven Montanans have died because of the virus, according to DPHHS.
There are seven cases in Lincoln County and none in Sanders County, the state said.
Kootenai County sheriff’s officials said on Thursday that Gov. Brad Little’s stay-at-home order prohibits Washington residents from coming into the state for recreational purposes such as fishing or hiking.
“Coming over to go fishing is not an essential business, coming over to go hiking is not an essential business,” sheriff’s Lt. Stu Miller told Spokane television station KREM.
The department is not explicitly discouraging travel to Idaho, however. They are asking travelers to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival, a rule which does not apply to people who live in one state and work in another or are providing or obtaining essential services.
Kootenai County sheriff’s officials said deputies will be favoring education over citations for out-of-state outdoor enthusiasts.
“Our hope is that when we contact somebody and tell them that they’re violating the order, they’ll comply with that verbal warning and head home,” Miller told the station.
Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.