As Idaho takes another step to reopen businesses Saturday, the state has reported a slight uptick in coronavirus cases.
But the state is also reporting more coronavirus test results, which could be a factor in the increased case numbers.
On Friday, the state Department of Health and Welfare reported 34 new, confirmed coronavirus cases — the largest one-day increase since April 20. But the uptick in cases coincided with a relatively large number of new test results — a one-day spike of 939 test results.
Overall, weekly numbers mirrored recent trends.
On Friday afternoon, the state and its health districts reported 2,390 confirmed and probable coronavirus cases, up from 2,207 cases a week ago. Case numbers increased by 8 percent this week, unchanged from the previous week.
Gov. Brad Little announced Thursday that the state will adopt the second stage of Idaho Rebounds, a four-step plan to reopen businesses over a span of two months. The plan doesn’t directly address schools, but the second stage calls for public and private gatherings of fewer than 10 people. This limitation applies to classroom sessions and public events such as graduation ceremonies.
During a Thursday news conference, Department of Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen acknowledged the short-term increase in case numbers. But he pointed to other, more encouraging coronavirus trends. Long-term case numbers are stable, and emergency room and ICU admission rates are low.
Other weekly trends:
May 8 | May 15 | One-week change | |
Deaths | 67 | 73 | 9 percent |
Hospitalizations | 206 | 213 | 3 percent |
ICU admissions | 86 | 89 | 3 percent |
Cases, Ada County | 733 | 770 | 5 percent |
Cases, Blaine County | 499 | 508 | 2 percent |
Cases, Twin Falls County | 248 | 310 | 25 percent |
Cases, Canyon County | 272 | 277 | 2 percent |
Cases, Jerome County | 67 | 88 | 31 percent |
Tests completed | 31,628 | 35,485 | 12 percent |
Positive test rate (approximate: some patients undergo multiple tests) | 7.0 percent | 6.7 percent | -0.3 percentage points |