PHD reports 14 new cases of COVID-19

SANDPOINT — The Panhandle Health District reported 14 new confirmed or probable cases of novel coronavirus on Tuesday, including one new infection in Bonner County.

The new cases bring the total number of cases in the five northern counties since the pandemic began to 2,760. The district said 2,472 of the cases are closed, meaning a resident is no longer being monitored, has refused monitoring or has died.

The virus, which causes COVID-19, is blamed for 48 deaths, 30 of which occurred in Kootenai County. There have been 15 deaths in Shoshone County, two deaths in Benewah County and one death in Boundary County, according to PHD.

Fifteen people were between the ages of 80-89. Fourteen Pandhandle residents between the ages 70-79 have also died. Another 14 people were 90 years old or older and five people were between the ages of 60-69, the health district said.

The virus has claimed the life of 31 men and 17 women in the Panhandle, according to the district.

Bonner County has had 223 cases during the pandemic, 21 of which remain active.

Kootenai County added 13 cases on Tuesday, bringing that county's total to 2,183, 225 of which remain active, the health district said.

Boundary County added no new cases on Tuesday. It has had 44 cases since the outbreak began and five of the cases remain active, the district said.

Shoshone County also added no new cases on Tuesday. That county has had 196 cases, 60 of which remain active. Benewah County added two new cases, bringing its total to 113, 22 of which remain active, according to PHD.

The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare reported 280 cases on Wednesday, bringing the statewide total to 32,368. The department said the virus has claimed the lives of 368 Idahoans.

The Northeast Tri-County Health District in Washington state reported one new case in Pend Oreille County on Tuesday, bringing the regional total to 205 confirmed cases. Pend Oreille County has 56 confirmed cases, while Stevens and Ferry counties have 124 and 25 cases, respectively.

The Montana State Department of Public Health reported 93 new confirmed cases on Tuesday, lifting the statewide total to 7,509 confirmed cases and 105 deaths.

Sanders County added six new confirmed cases on Tuesday, elevating the county's total to 37 cases over the course of the pandemic, 16 of which remain active. The state said no new cases were added in Lincoln County, which has had 89 cases, six of which remain active.

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