Two more COVID-19 cases added

SANDPOINT — Two new cases of novel coronavirus emerged in Kootenai County, the Panhandle Health District reported on Tuesday.

Kootenai County had a total of 54 cases, while Bonner County had a total of four, bringing the regional tally to 58 cases in the region.

The virus that causes COVID-19 has not been detected in Boundary, Shoshone or Benewah counties, according to the health district.

Twenty-five of the regional cases involve residents over the age of 50, while 26 involve people between the ages of 19-49. Seven cases involve minors. Thirty-two cases involve men, while 26 involve women, the health district said.

The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare reported 30 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, bringing the statewide total to 1,766 lab-confirmed or probable cases. The virus is blamed for 51 deaths in Idaho.

The Northeast Tri-County Health District said there were 11 cases in eastern Washington, with eight cases in Stevens County, two cases in Pend Oreille County and one case in Ferry County. A total of 717 people in the tri-county area have tested negative for the virus, NETCHD said on Tuesday. It’s blamed for one death in Stevens County.

No deaths have been reported in Pend Oreille or Ferry counties, according to the health district.

The state of Montana said there are 437 confirmed cases of coronavirus, which is being attributed to 12 deaths. There are seven cases in Lincoln County and none in Sanders County, according to the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services.

The U.S. Chamber Foundation announced on Monday it is launching the Save Small Business Fund (savesmallbusiness.com). This effort will provide onetime grants of up to $5,000 to businesses with 3-20 employees which are impacted by COVID-19.

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