Boundary County confirms second case of COVID-19
(Image courtesy PANHANDLE HEALTH DISTRICT) Panhandle Health District reported 56 new COVID-19 cases in the Idaho Panhandle. None of the new cases were reported in Boundary County, leaving the community as the only one in the five northern counties without an active confirmed case.
BONNERS FERRY — Boundary County has its second confirmed novel coronavirus case — albeit the first of a county resident currently residing in the county.
News of the case was announced Wednesday afternoon by Panhandle Health District and Boundary County Emergency Management have confirmed the second COVID-19 case in the county. The individual is a male in his 40s who has mild symptoms and is isolating himself at home, Andrew O’Neel, Boundary County Emergency Management director, said.
This is the first case of COVID-19 confirmed in a resident currently living in Boundary County, O’Neel said.
The first case was a female in her 20s whose home address is in Boundary County, but she was infected and tested positive while traveling outside the state.
The Boundary County case was one of 56 new cases confirmed over the last 24 hours across the five northern counties of the Panhandle, and one of 592 total cases confirmed in the Panhandle to date. Idaho is currently reporting 8,539 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases across the state.
Idaho has seen a steadily increasing trend in new cases since early June and Tuesday, July 7, saw the largest total for new confirmed cases in a single day — 448 confirmed with another 39 probable.
“Boundary County and PHD have been coordinating with local healthcare facilities and emergency response agencies since March to assist with planning and preparedness for the eventual spread of COVID-19 into the county,” O’Neel said. “This new case serves as a reminder to continue practicing precautions to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
O’Neel said the precautions for avoiding COVID-19 are the same as those for avoiding the flu and common cold. Currently, there are no vaccines available to prevent novel coronavirus infections.
“It is important for everyone to continue social distancing measures, such as avoiding large social gatherings, keeping a six-foot distance between people whenever possible, and wearing a cloth face covering when in public,” he added. “These measures can help slow the spread of the virus in our community.”
Wednesday’s cases brining the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic to 592, with a majority of the cases centered in Kootenai County. PHD officials said 179 of the cases are no longer being monitored, leaving 413 active cases in North Idaho.
• Kootenai County: 514 cases, 377 active, 1 death
• Benewah County: 15 cases, 1 active
• Bonner County: 44 cases, 26 active
• Boundary County: 1 case, 0 active
• Shoshone County: 6 case, 6 active
• Undetermined county: 12 cases, 3 active
There are five individuals in North Idaho who are hospitalized due to COVID-19. A total of 22 people have been hospitalized due to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.
Young adults between the ages of 18-29 are being hit hardest by the virus, which causes COVID-19. There are 223 Panhandle resident within that age bracket who have contracted the virus. The second-most impacted age group are those between the ages of 30-39, which has 88 cases. There are 78 cases involving patients between the ages of 50-59 and 46 cases among those between the ages of 60-69, according to the health district.
There are 22 Panhandle residents who are between the ages of 70-79 and there are 57 cases among residents who are 18 or younger.
The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare reported 487 new cases in the state, lifting the statewide total to 8,539 cases. The virus’ death toll was at 94 on Tuesday.
The Northeast Tri-County Health District in Washington state reported 29 confirmed cases. There are 21 cases in Stevens County and seven in Pend Oreille County. Ferry County had one fatal case, according to NETCHD.
The health district has seen nine new cases in Stevens County over the last 14 days and four new cases in Pend Oreille County during that time frame.
The Montana Department of Public Health tallied 80 new cases, bringing the statewide total to 1,327 cases. There are nine cases in Lincoln County and no cases in Sanders County, according to the state.
If you have or develop general flu-like symptoms that include cough, fever over 100.4 degrees, or difficulty breathing: stay at home. Call your medical provider if your symptoms get worse and you need medical care, or if you want to find out if you should be tested for COVID-19.
If community members have these symptoms or have been exposed to a confirmed case, they should call PHD’s call center at 1-877-415-5225 or their health care provider. PHD will provide an over-the-phone assessment to determine if someone should be tested. Please call, do not come into PHD or your provider’s office.
For current information about the ongoing spread of COVID-19 across Idaho, visit https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/.