No new cases of COVID-19 reported in North Idaho

COEUR D’ALENE –– The stay-home strategy appears to be working, at least for the time being anyways as Panhandle Health District has reported zero new cases of the Novel Coronavirus COVID-19 for the second day in a row.

The Panhandle Health District covers the five northern counties (Shoshone, Kootenai, Benewah, Bonner, and Boundary).

Following Thursday evening’s briefing of the Kootenai County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Unified Command, today’s report shows no new cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Panhandle Health District. This means Kootenai County has not had a new case over the last four days. This keeps the current total at 45, with 42 in Kootenai County and three in Bonner County.

Shoshone, Boundary, and Benewah Counties still have no confirmed cases.

Epidemiologists with PHD are working to investigate cases of possible contact. All household members of confirmed cases have been asked to self-isolate at home for a prescribed period of time.

If other people are found to have been exposed, health officials will provide guidance to these individuals and they will be asked to self-monitor for the development of symptoms.

PHD will continue to monitor the situation closely and are working with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, city and county leaders, schools, emergency management, healthcare providers, and our community at large to help prevent the spread of this virus.

People ill with coronavirus in other states and countries have reported mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing.

If community members have these symptoms and are concerned, 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.

Tested individuals must stay home until test results are received.

If the test is positive, all household members must self-isolate at home for a recommended

period of time.

Individuals may also call the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-330-3010.

Quick stats from PHD

COVID-19 BY AGE GROUP

<18 years — 5

19 to 49 years — 19

≥50 years — 21

COVID-19 BY SEX

Female — 19

Male — 26