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IDAHO FALLS – Another eastern Idahoan died as a result of a COVID-19 infection.
On Friday, the Southeast Idaho Public Health District reported the fourth death of COVID-19 in eastern Idaho, a Bingham County man in his 90s. Health officials say he had been hospitalized due to complications from the virus before finally succumbing. Health officials say no other information about the man will be released.
“My heart goes out to mourning family, friends and neighbors,” said SIPH District Director Maggie Mann. “Now more than ever, each of us must do our part to prevent the spread of this virus. We all must do what we can to keep each other safe. ”
It is the second death in Bingham County. There have also been individual deaths in Bannock and Bonneville counties. All four deaths have been senior citizens.
The death comes as eastern Idaho sees its biggest increase in coronavirus cases to date, and the issue of mandatory mask ordinances is debated in local communities.
As of Friday, the number of confirmed or probable cases in eastern Idaho is 904 (736 confirmed and 168 probable), according to the Eastern Idaho Public Health District and the Southeast Idaho Public Health District. However, most people initially infected are no longer sick. There are 303 people who are still symptomatic and are being monitored by any of the districts. That means that just over 600 residents of eastern Idaho have recovered from the coronavirus.
A case is considered probable if a person has not been tested, or if a test is pending, and the person has all the symptoms of COVID-19, has come into direct contact with an infected person, and has developed symptoms within the period provided. Since probable cases are confirmed or considered negative, they are removed from the list.
Due to the sharp increase in cases in recent weeks, Eastern Idaho Public Health created a COVID-19 Regional Response Plan. The plan dictates how counties respond when they reach an active case threshold. The threshold varies by county population. The plan is divided into four different sections that are color-coded: green (minimal risk), yellow (moderate risk), orange (high risk), and red (critical risk).
At this time, all eastern Idaho counties are on the low risk list, except Teton County, which is in the moderate risk category. The Teton County threshold was 12 active cases, and they currently have 15, according to the EIPH.
According to the order, gatherings and social events, both public and private, of more than 150 are prohibited. In addition, all people in Teton County must wear a face covering that completely covers the person’s nose and mouth when the person is in a public place and other non-household members are present and a physical distance of 6 feet cannot be maintained.
RELATED: Eastern Idaho Public Health Requesting Comments on COVID-19 Regional Response Plan
The cities of Driggs and Victor have already adopted mandatory mask ordinances throughout the city, but the health plan makes the order throughout the county.
Under the plan, facial covers are not required in the following circumstances:
- Children under 2 years old.
- People with a medical condition, mental health conditions, or a disability that prevents them from wearing a face mask. A person is not required to provide documentation showing that they cannot tolerate the use of a face covering.
- Deaf or hard of hearing, or communicating with a deaf or hard of hearing, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.
- Individuals, including on-duty law enforcement officials, for whom wearing a face mask would create a hazard for the person related to their job, as determined by local, state or federal regulators or on-site safety guidelines of work.
- People who are obtaining a service involving the nose, face, or head for which it is necessary to temporarily remove the facial covering to perform the service.
- People who eat or drink at a restaurant or other establishment that offers food or drink service, provided they are seated at a table and can keep a distance of 6 feet from people who are not members of the same household or group as the person. This exemption does not apply to entry, exit, or other movement throughout the facility.
If other eastern Idaho counties reach their threshold, a mandatory mask order would also go into effect, even if the cities have not made the decision for themselves. At the moment, the municipalities of Idaho Falls, Pocatello and Rexburg have discussed the mask’s emergency ordinances, but none have chosen to move forward with them.
The Teton County order went into effect on July 16 and lasts for 14 days. At that time, the level of risk for Teton County will be re-evaluated.
“If each and every one of us started doing these things now, it could help us have to progress to higher levels of risk. No one wants another closure of our businesses and economy, so the EIPH Board of Health asks for support. Everyone in this effort, ”said EIPH Health Board President Bryon Reed in the press release.
“> For more information on the COVID-19 Regional Response Plan, click here.
State numbers
In the past 10 days, COVID-19 cases statewide have increased.
As of July 8, the total number of confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases statewide increased from 8,969 to 13,725 (12,883 confirmed and 869 probable) as of Friday afternoon. The vast majority of those cases are still fighting the virus or have lived at least 30 days since the initial infection and are presumed to have recovered. The latest figures indicate that 3,827 people have successfully recovered from COVID-19.
COVID-19 has an extremely high recovery rate, and the vast majority of people who contract the virus will recover safely at home. So far, only 570 people across the state have required hospitalization for COVID-19 since mid-March. Some of those cases were very serious and involved hospital stays of more than 50 days, according to officials at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and Idaho Falls Community Hospital.
RELATED: COVID-19 patient discharged after almost 50 days of stay at the IF Community Hospital; possible exhibition at Pocatello Perkins
The death toll in Idaho is increasing, though not by much, and the death rate continues to decline across the state. In the past 10 days, the death count went from 98 to 118. Of these, 96 are COVID-19 confirmed deaths and 22 are probable.
A probable death of COVID-19 includes those who did not receive a viral test, but who came into contact with an infected individual, showed signs of COVID-19 and developed symptoms in the expected time. Additionally, a death is likely, when a physician or coroner indicates that COVID-19 contributed to a death on a death certificate, using only clinical criteria to diagnose them. See the criteria here.
COMPARE WITH LAST WEEK’S NUMBERS
Officials recommend health precautions
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and our local health districts encourage everyone to take preventive measures to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. This includes staying home if you are sick, physically distancing yourself, washing your hands frequently, and wearing face shields in public when it is not possible to physically distance yourself.
For questions related to COVID-19, call the EIPH Call Center at (208) 522-0310 or the toll free number (855) 533-3160 to speak to someone. The call center is open on Mondays. until Friday from 8 am to 5 pm In addition, questions can be emailed to [email protected] or on their Facebook page.
For more COVID-19 news, click here.
