IDAHO FALLS – This week Idaho saw its biggest jump in new COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began earlier this year.
In the past seven days, the total number of confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in Idaho has increased dramatically from 4,645 to 6,370, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. However, not all of these people are sick. Authorities say approximately 69% (4,393) of infected people have lived at least 30 days since the initial infection and are presumed to have recovered.
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.
Despite the large increase in cases, the mortality rate has remained very low. So far, only 92 people have died across the state. That’s two more in the last seven days. The vast majority of deaths have been among people over the age of 60, which is the demographic group most vulnerable to the virus. The deaths have also been primarily in western and central Idaho. Only two people in eastern Idaho have died from COVID-19.
COMPARE WITH LAST WEEK’S NUMBERS
In eastern Idaho, the number of cases also increased significantly.
In the past seven days, the total number of confirmed or probable cases of COVID-19 in eastern Idaho increased from 336 to 419, according to Eastern Idaho Public Health and the Southeast Idaho Public Health District. However, like the state number, most of the people initially infected are no longer sick. At this point, only 111 people remain symptomatic and are being actively monitored by any of the health districts.
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 340 patients with COVID-19 have had to be hospitalized across the state. 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.
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At the moment, Idaho remains in Stage 4 of Rebound Idaho due to the recent increase in cases. While there is a chance that some counties will return to Stage 3, local officials say they do not expect that to happen.
To avoid backsliding, EIPH recommends that people follow COVID-19 risk reduction strategies:
- Stay home if you are sick.
- Practicing personal distance (keeping at least 6 feet between individuals).
- Wear a face mask or cloth cover when you are in public places where there are other social media
Distance measurements are difficult to maintain. - Covering your cough and sneeze with a tissue or our sleeve.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with your unwashed hands.
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer.
- Limit close contact with sick people.
Since meeting restrictions have been relaxed, EIPH says that most new cases of COVID-19 are linked to meetings where people attended while sick and social distancing was not followed.
“We understand that social connections are vitally important to people, but we also want people to take precautions when interacting with others to minimize opportunities for the spread of COVID-19,” EIPH Director Geri Rackow said in a statement. of press.
Health officials say to contact them if anyone was exposed to COVID-19 or if exposure occurred in their business, organization, event, etc. EIPH can be contacted on its direct line COVID-19 at (208) 522-0310. The SIPH hotline is located at (208) 234-5875.
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