PHD confirms first fatal COVID-19 case in community

BONENRS FERRY — Panhandle Health District is reporting the first death related to COVID-19 in Boundary County.

The individual resided in Boundary County and was in his 70s. He had been hospitalized due to complications with COVID-19. Out of respect to him and his family, no additional details will be released. This is the 40th death in our area. Twenty-seven of the deaths have occurred among Kootenai county residents, one death has occurred in a Benewah county resident and eleven of the deaths have occurred among Shoshone county residents.

Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones during this difficult time,” said Lora Whalen, PHD Director.

PHD urges all residents to take precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19. This includes, practicing physical distancing, wearing cloth face coverings in public places, practicing good hand hygiene, staying home when sick, sanitizing high-touch surfaces regularly and isolating immediately if you show symptoms of COVID-19.

PHD will continue to monitor the situation closely and are working with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, city leaders, our tribal communities, schools, emergency management, first responders, healthcare providers, and our community at large to help prevent the further spread of this virus. The Panhandle area covers the 5 northern counties, Kootenai, Bonner, Benewah, Boundary, and Shoshone.

According to the CDC, people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported – ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and diarrhea