This week’s coronavirus trendline (8.21.20 edition)

 

 

This week, new coronavirus case numbers grew at their slowest pace in nearly two months.

On Friday, the state and its seven health districts reported 29,459 confirmed or probable coronavirus cases.

That’s an increase of 2,147 cases since last week. For the first time since early July, the new weekly case numbers dipped below the 3,000 mark.

The new case numbers translate to an increase of 8 percent, down from 14 percent the previous week.

New case numbers also dropped in several coronavirus hotspots, including Ada, Canyon, Kootenai, Bonneville and Twin Falls counties.

Not all the trends were positive, however. Idaho reported 40 additional COVID-19 deaths, an increase from the preceding week. Hospitalizations and ICU admissions also increased.

During a Friday news conference, Gov. Brad Little discussed the mixed trends.

COVID-19 hospital admissions remain a problem statewide, Little said, but he also pointed to improvements in other metrics, such as case numbers, positive test rates and coronavirus-related emergency room visits.

“You can’t argue with the success that we’re having,” Little said. “We just need to have that success at a faster rate.”

On Friday, Little said Idaho would remain in stage four of the state’s four-phase reopening plan for at least two more weeks. Idaho has been mired at stage four since June, as coronavirus case numbers and COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths have skyrocketed across the state.

In other coronavirus headlines from this week:

Boise reopens — unevenly. The Boise School District launched the 2020-21 school year Monday with online-only instruction. Boise’s 25,000 students will work from home through at least Sept. 8. Another hurdle for Boise schools: The district is still waiting on a delivery of 13,000 computing devices for students, after placing a $2.7 million order in May.

Mixed emotions in West Ada. Trustees took public testimony Thursday night on the district’s fall reopening. Parents urged the district to reopen doors to its 40,000 students. Teachers said it isn’t safe to reopen. With a Sept. 8 opening day looming, the state’s largest district will make its decision Tuesday.

Back to campus. Idaho’s colleges and universities are planning to reopen with a combination of face-to-face classes and online instruction. Idaho State University started fall classes Monday, with other schools to follow in the next few days.

Back to the Statehouse. The Legislature will reconvene Monday morning for a special session to take up two coronavirus-related topics: safeguards for the November election and civil liability protection for schools and other entities.

Here’s the data for the week. (And comparisons with last week.)

Statewide data Aug. 14 Aug. 21 Change, Aug. 8-14 Change, Aug. 15-21
Cases, confirmed and probable 27,312 29,459 3,299 2,147
Deaths 265 305 36 40
Hospitalizations 1,091 1,233 123 142
ICU admissions 309 344 33 35
Estimated, patients recovered 10,369 12,359 1,631 1,990
Tests completed 219,224 233,855 17,677 14,631
Health care workers infected 1,619 1,792 196 173
Positive test rate (approximate: some patients undergo multiple tests) 12.4 percent 12.6 percent +0.5 percentage points +0.2 percentage points

 

Cases in select counties Aug. 14 Aug. 21 New cases, Aug. 8-14 New cases, Aug. 15-21
Ada 9,753 10,450 1,033 697
Canyon 6,257 6,663 637 406
Kootenai 1,972 2,057 208 85
Twin Falls 1,508 1,583 195 75
Bonneville 1,320 1,489 362 169
Bannock 520 595 96 75
Blaine 584 593 9 9
Cassia 544 570 31 26
Jerome 517 546 56 29
Minidoka 505 525 36 20
Payette 441 514 64 73
Bingham 359 410 81 51
Jefferson 239 294 54 55
Owyhee 276 287 18 11
Elmore 230 259 23 29
Washington 229 253 28 24
Nez Perce 174 227 29 53
Madison 182 208 26 26
Gem 188 202 14 14
Bonner 192 196 14 4
Gooding 179 194 22 15
Latah 134 177 33 43
Teton 99 116 22 17
Power 71 101 12 30

 

Kevin Richert

Kevin Richert

Senior reporter and blogger Kevin Richert specializes in education politics and education policy. He has more than 30 years of experience in Idaho journalism. He is a frequent guest on "Idaho Reports" on Idaho Public Television and "Idaho Matters" on Boise State Public Radio. Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KevinRichert. He can be reached at [email protected]

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