This week’s coronavirus trendline (8.28.20 edition)

New case numbers slowed this week — slightly — but Idaho’s reported its deadliest week in the coronavirus pandemic.

On Friday, the state and its seven health districts reported 31,575 confirmed or probable coronavirus cases, a 7 percent increase from the previous week.

However, Idaho reported a record 48 COVID-19 deaths in the past week. COVID-19 deaths have doubled statewide since July 29.

Among Idaho’s coronavirus hotspots, case numbers increased by 32 percent in Latah County, 30 percent in Power County, 25 percent in Nez Perce County and 24 percent in Payette County.

In coronavirus headlines from the week:

A wild special legislative session. In a three-day session marked by protests and arrests, the Legislature passed a civil liability law and two elections bills. Lawmakers also pushed to rescind Gov. Brad Little’s March 13 coronavirus emergency declaration, and a number of legislators downplayed the severity of the pandemic.

K-12 reopenings. The West Ada School District will begin its 2020-21 year on Sept. 8 with online learning, a decision that prompted an enrollment spike in the district’s virtual school. As planned, the Nampa School District opened this week to online learning.

Rural issues. Reopening issues weren’t restricted to the state’s largest districts. In remote Custer County, the Mackay School District abruptly moved classes online after a spike in coronavirus cases.

A new year on campus. Seven of the state’s colleges and universities began fall classes Monday, with a blend of face-to-face learning and online classes. (Idaho State University opened on Aug. 17.) The reboot was not without its hiccups. On Friday, Boise State University suspended three fraternities and 18 students over large gatherings that violated campus guidelines.

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

Statewide data Aug. 21 Aug. 28 Change, Aug. 15-21 Change, Aug. 22-28
Cases, confirmed and probable 29,459 31,575 2,147 2,116
Deaths 305 353 40 48
Hospitalizations 1,233 1,349 142 116
ICU admissions 344 369 35 25
Estimated, patients recovered 12,359 14,175 1,990 1,816
Tests completed 233,855 248,754 14,631 14,899
Health care workers infected 1,792 2,004 173 212
Positive test rate (approximate: some patients undergo multiple tests) 12.6 percent 12.7 percent +0.2 percentage points +0.1 percentage points

 

Cases in select counties Aug. 21 Aug. 28 New cases, Aug. 15-21 New cases, Aug. 22-28
Ada 10,450 11,028 697 578    
Canyon 6,663 7,051 406 388
Kootenai 2,057 2,164 85 107
Bonneville 1,489 1,697 169 208
Twin Falls 1,583 1,650 75 67
Bannock 595 666 75 71
Payette 514 639 73 125
Blaine 593 601 9 8
Jerome 546 592 29 46
Cassia 570 580 26 10
Minidoka 525 550 20 25
Bingham 410 470 51 60
Jefferson 294 338 55 44
Owyhee 287 297 11 10
Nez Perce 227 283 53 56
Elmore 259 274 29 15
Washington 253 267 24 14
Latah 177 233 43 56
Madison 208 233 26 25
Gooding 194 219 15 25
Bonner 196 217 4 21
Gem 202 207 14 6
Power 101 131 30 30
Teton 116 126 17 10
Benewah 93 109 13 14
Fremont 98 108 5 10

 

 

 

 

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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