Idaho’s coronavirus case numbers declined again this week — continuing a sharp two-month decline.
As of Friday afternoon, the state and its seven health districts reported 167,352 confirmed or probable coronavirus cases. This represents a 1.4 percent increase from last week.
All told, the state counted 2,322 new cases this week, the lowest one-week total since mid-September.
By contrast, Idaho recorded a record 11,279 cases from Dec. 5 to 11.
In another milestone of sorts, the state says 171,604 Idahoans have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine — exceeding the number of Idahoans who have contracted the virus.
The continued drop in cases comes as the West Ada, Pocatello-Chubbuck and Twin Falls school districts decided to ramp up face-to-face instruction time. The Boise School District will continue discussing the issue next week.
In other coronavirus news from the week:
The school reopening debate, in context. While several of Idaho’s largest school districts inch toward full-time, in-person learning, President Biden has set a modest national goal: opening schools at least one day a week. “I think that’s a fantastic goal, outside of Idaho,” State Board of Education President Debbie Critchfield said.
The crowd controversy. As legislators continue to push back against restrictions on public gathering, one event has become a focal point in the debate: girls high school basketball tournaments.
The vaccine rollout. The state launched a new website this week, designed to better track the COVID-19 vaccination process. State officials also urged patience, as it continues to vaccinate Idahoans over the age of 65. “it will take several months for us to get completely through this group,” Department of Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen said.
Here are this week’s numbers, and comparisons with the previous week:
Statewide data | Feb. 5 | Feb. 12 | Change, Jan. 30-Feb. 5 | Change, Feb. 6-12 |
Cases, confirmed and probable | 165,030 | 167,352 | 2,575 | 2,322 |
Total cases, ages 0-4 | 2,427 | 2,477 | 46 | 50 |
Total cases, ages 5-12 | 5,962 | 6,079 | 160 | 117 |
Total cases, ages 13-17 | 9,266 | 9,416 | 166 | 150 |
Total cases, ages 18-29 | 41,143 | 41,697 | 627 | 554 |
Deaths | 1,758 | 1,799 | 33 | 41 |
Patients ever hospitalized | 6,785 | 6,875 | 126 | 90 |
Patients ever admitted to ICU | 1,184 | 1,204 | 19 | 20 |
Patients recovered, estimated | 85,439 | 89,126 | 4,405 | 3,687 |
Total tests administered | 1,011,836 | 1,032,823 | 24,725 | 20,987 |
Health care workers infected | 9,029 | 9,231 | 255 | 202 |
Idahoans vaccinated | 134,367 | 171,604 | 40,296 | 37,237 |
Idahoans fully vaccinated (two doses) | 32,079 | 50,569 | 11,778 | 18,490 |
Vaccine doses administered | 166,466 | 222,173 | 52,094 | 55,707 |
Weekly positive test rate, as reported by the state: 6.6 percent for week ending Feb. 6, down from 7.0 percent the previous week.
Top 10 counties, by total cases | Feb. 5 | Feb. 12 | New cases, Feb. 6-12 | New cases per day, per 100,000 population |
Ada | 45,087 | 45,720 | 633 | 18.8 |
Canyon | 24,031 | 24,285 | 254 | 15.8 |
Kootenai | 15,969 | 16,285 | 316 | 27.2 |
Bonneville | 11,580 | 11,724 | 144 | 17.3 |
Twin Falls | 8,817 | 8,883 | 66 | 10.9 |
Bannock | 7,452 | 7,607 | 155 | 25.2 |
Madison | 5,981 | 6,091 | 110 | 39.6 |
Bingham | 4,095 | 4,162 | 67 | 20.4 |
Nez Perce | 3,310 | 3,324 | 14 | 4.9 |
Bonner | 2,805 | 2,882 | 77 | 24.0 |
Ten hotspot counties (most daily cases, per 100,000 population) | Feb. 5 | Feb. 12 | New cases, Feb. 6-12 | New cases per day, per 100,000 population |
Blaine | 2,030 | 2,102 | 72 | 44.7 |
Boundary | 745 | 781 | 36 | 42.0 |
Madison | 5,981 | 6,091 | 110 | 39.6 |
Butte | 186 | 193 | 7 | 38.5 |
Kootenai | 15,969 | 16,285 | 316 | 27.2 |
Camas | 67 | 69 | 2 | 25.8 |
Bannock | 7,452 | 7,607 | 155 | 25.2 |
Jefferson | 2,305 | 2,352 | 47 | 22.5 |
Valley | 768 | 785 | 17 | 21.3 |
Latah | 2,556 | 2,615 | 59 | 21.0 |