PHD: New COVID-19 case in area
This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This virus was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via AP)
SANDPOINT — A new case of novel coronavirus turned up in Kootenai County, the Panhandle Health District said on Friday.
The new case pushes the number of case in Kootenai County to 63. Bonner County has four cases, according to the health district.
The virus, which causes COVID-19, has not been detected in Boundary, Shoshone or Benewah counties, the health district said.
The health district said the virus has resulted in six hospitalizations in the region and 64 people who were infected by the virus are no longer being monitored by public health officials.
The health district also released guidance Friday for reducing stress in children who may be struggling during the pandemic.
Common signs in stress in children include excessive crying, returning to behaviors they have outgrown, unhealthy sleeping or eating habits, poor concentration and avoidance of activities they once enjoyed.
The health district recommends children stay active and socially connected, in addition to addressing their fears over the virus with fact-based answers, reassurance of their safety and remaining hopeful as scientists work on a vaccine and improve on treatment strategies.
Routines and schedules are also beneficial.
“Although it is tempting to stay in our pajamas all day, raid the refrigerator when we feel like it, and binge the latest on Netflix, it is more important than ever to maintain bedtime, meal time and other routines. Routines create a sense of order to the day that offers reassurance in a very uncertain time,” said PHD spokeswoman Katherine Hoyer.
The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare reported on Friday there were 27 new confirmed or probable cases of coronavirus, bringing the statewide case total to 2,205 cases. Sixty-seven people have died from the virus in Idaho, according to Health & Welfare.
The Northeast Tri-County Health District in Washington state said Ferry and Pend Oreille counties have met the preliminary criteria to move into the second phase of Gov. Jay Inslee’s reopening plan. The two counties will formally move into Phase 2 after the state publishes guidelines for those specific sectors.
“The state is quickly working to finalize these and will publish each of them as each is finalized. After it does, an individual business is only allowed to reopen after it can implement those guidelines,” the health district said in a news release.
The state of Montana reported two new cases of coronavirus, bringing the statewide tally to 458 cases. Lincoln County has seven cases, while Sanders County has none, according to the Montana Department of Public Health & Human Services.
Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.