New coronavirus case count declines

by BILL BULEY
Hagadone News Network | June 16, 2021 1:00 AM

The Panhandle Health District reported 14 new coronavirus cases on Tuesday, the lowest single-day count in more than two months.

Kootenai County has had 105 new cases in the past week. Bonner County had 15 and Boundary County had five.

In comparison to six months ago, PHD tallied a record of 410 new cases on Dec. 9 and for the six days from Dec. 7 to 12, it had 1,914 new cases.

There are now just 184 active COVID-19 cases in the entire PHD, which has a population of about 255,000. There has been one death attributed to the virus in the state in the past week.

Kootenai Health reported 19 COVID-19 inpatients on Tuesday, seven in critical care. A week ago it had 26 COVID-19 inpatients, with 13 critical care.

Kootenai County’s vaccination rate of those 12 and older, per the state’s website, is 39.5%, with 56,489 receiving at least one dose of a vaccine. Bonner County's vaccination rate is 38.12% with 15,049 receiving at least one dose of a vaccine and Boundary County's rate sitting at 31.03% and 3,200 residents receiving at least one dose.

Meanwhile, health officials continue to encourage anyone who experiences COVID-19 symptoms to get tested.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is offering free at-home COVID-19 tests to Idaho residents. No personal information is required other than a name and mailing address.

“Reliable and widely available testing is a critical part of our efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, said Elke Shaw Tulloch, administrator of the Division of Public Health. “Combined with efforts to increase vaccinations, this important initiative can help to get us back to our usual way of living.”

DHW is working with VAULT Medical to provide COVID-19 PCR testing on saliva for individuals in Idaho.

The test involves collecting saliva and mailing it to a laboratory that analyzes the sample. Saliva collection can be done at home with the assistance of a trained VAULT Medical observer via a virtual Zoom visit on a smart phone or tablet.

Info: 2-1-1 by dialing either 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588.