COVID-19 cases reported in Benewah County
FILE - This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). Health authorities are preparing for a possible pandemic as they work to contain a respiratory illness in China that's caused by a new virus. Governments are working to contain the virus by limiting travel, isolating sick people and keeping travelers returning from the affected region under quarantine to watch for symptoms. (CDC via AP, File)
SANDPOINT — While Benewah County saw its first cases this past week, Boundary County continues to have no confirmed novel coronavirus cases, according to the Panhandle Health District.
There are 79 cases in the Idaho Panhandle, with 66 cases in Kootenai County, four cases in Bonner County, and four cases in Benewah County, the health district said.
The health district is still investigating the county of residence for the remaining five cases. That information will be updated on its website as soon as it is available, PHD officials said.
The virus, which causes COVID-19, has not been detected in Boundary or Shoshone counties, according to Panhandle Health.
PHD epidemiologists will conduct contact tracing and close contacts will be contacted if they are potentially at risk. Additional case-specific information about individuals is confidential and will not be released.
PHD will continue to monitor the situation closely and officials are working with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, tribal partners, city leaders, schools, emergency management, healthcare providers, and our community at large to help prevent the further spread of this virus. The Panhandle area covers the five northern counties in Idaho — Kootenai, Bonner, Benewah, Boundary, and Shoshone.
“Our call center is available Monday through Friday to take questions or concerns for our community,” said Lora Whalen, PHD director. “We continue to urge everyone to continue practicing the staged guidelines in Gov. Little’s reopening plan.”
The number of new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases, meanwhile, has slowed slightly. The Idaho Department of Health & Welfare tallied 15 new cases on Tuesday, pushing the statewide total to 2,699 cases. The death toll in Idaho, however, increased to 81, according to Health & Welfare.
The state said 2,100 cases have recovered. There have been 231 hospitalizations across the state and 95 admissions to intensive-care units. The virus has sickened 300 healthcare workers, according to Health & Welfare.
The Northeast Tri-County Health District in Washington state reported 14 cases within its jurisdiction. There are 10 cases in Stevens County, three in Pend Oreille County and one in Ferry County.
No new cases of the virus were reported in Montana on Tuesday. The state has 479 cases, with seven in Lincoln County and none in Sanders County.
According to the CDC, people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported — ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. Symptoms, which may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus, include cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fever, chills, muscle pain, a sore throat, amd a new loss of taste or smell. Other less common symptoms have been reported, including gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
If community members have these symptoms and they become severe, they should call PHD’s call center at 1-877-415-5225 or their 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.