Precautions increases as ID still free of COVID-19

SANDPOINT — Idaho remains free of the dreaded novel coronavirus, according to the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare.

The total number of people who have been or are being monitored by state public health officials was 48 on Thursday. The number of people no longer being monitored is 37 and the number of people who tested through the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories is 93, which includes two Oregon residents who were tested in Idaho.

“Idaho is currently reporting no cases,” Health & Welfare said in a post to the department’s COVID-19 online clearinghouse.

Governor Brad Little is scheduled to host a press conference in Boise this morning to update residents on the proactive measures being taken to protect citizens during the outbreak.

The Lake Pend Oreille School District has implemented heightened sanitation in every building every day for the last three weeks. School buses are disinfected with an electrostatic sprayer twice a week and all students are being counseled on hygiene and COVID-19 precautions, according to Tom Albertson, superintendent of LPOSD.

The school district has sanitary wipes available for staff in each building as an added precaution. The school district is also in close contact with the Panhandle Health District regarding its recommendations, which are then shared with LPOSD families and staff.

“When or if the recommendation is to close schools we are prepared to deliver a continued education online for students grades 7-12 and will work with the SDE on resources to deliver education to elementary students. Though internet access may be problematic for all students,” Albertson said.

Albertson added Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra is on the governor’s COVID-19 cabinet and provided a webinar for all superintendents on Thursday. At the time of the presentation, every decision is still being made locally with recommendations from the local medical community.

“Her key advice was to stay calm, be in the ‘communication’ stage, and prepare for delivering education in an online manner. If things progress, Gov. Little will give directives,” said Albertson.

The Idaho State Board of Education will also be hosting a telephonic press conference today.

“Our institutions have been planning for some time regarding implications for campus operations in the wake of this public health crisis,” board President Debbie Critchfield said. “I continue to be in contact with the Governor, institution presidents and other state officials. Ultimately, it will be up to the full board to decide what steps should be taken regarding higher education, including if closures are warranted and if so, when.”

North Idaho College President Rick MacLennan said the school is taking precautions out of an abundance of caution, it is not closing NIC’s main campus or other facilities and locations.

NIC’s instructors are working with division chairs and faculty representatives to begin moving as many classes online as possible, beginning next week.

“We are doing this to minimize exposure by limiting the number of students who would otherwise need to come to campus. There will be additional details coming out from the Office of Instruction, sharing specific information for faculty and students regarding which classes will be moved to an online format,” MacLennan said.

Bob Howard, director of Bonner County Emergency Management, said the county has added compulsory online training for employees.

“We encourage our employees that meet with the public to wipe down countertops and other areas several times a day,” Howard said.

Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the seven local public health districts have developed guidance for event and venue managers to assist with decisions regarding mass gatherings and public events during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Idaho public health experts, Health & Welfare and all local public health districts will support any decision made by a venue or event manager to postpone or cancel mass gatherings and public events.

Idaho public health experts recommend postponing or canceling mass gatherings and public events in any of the following situations:

• The event will draw audiences or participants from communities, states, or countries with confirmed community spread of COVID-19 disease. Your local public health district can assist in making this determination.

• The event will be held indoors and bring together more than 250 individuals where social distancing of 6 feet or more is unlikely or not possible.

• The event’s primary audience includes or may expose high-risk populations, including adults over the age of 60 years and people with underlying chronic medical conditions like heart or lung disease or diabetes, regardless of the number of attendees.

The state of Washington, meanwhile, continues to be the state hardest hit by the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. Washington has 366 reported cases of the disease and 29 people have died.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee issued a proclamation on Wednesday prohibiting events attended by more than 250 people in King, Snowhomish and Pierce counties. The order applies to all gatherings, including religious services, concerts, civic events, sporting events, festivals, conventions and fundraisers.

The Northeast Tri County Health District said COVID-19 has been confirmed in eastern Washington.

“Therefore, Northeast Tri County Health District is urging and recommending residents of Ferry, Pend Oreille, and Stevens counties voluntarily follow Gov. Inslee’s proclamation and reduce large gatherings until further notice,” Dr. Samuel Artzis, health officer for the district, said in a news release.

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