Coronavirus case numbers continued to slow this week, nearing a four-month low.
On Friday afternoon, the state and its seven health districts reported 162,455 confirmed or probable coronavirus cases, a 2.2 percent increase from last week.
The week’s 3,499 new cases dipped below the 4,000 mark for the first time since early October.
The continued decrease in case numbers comes as Gov. Brad Little and the Legislature continue a Statehouse tug of war over coronavirus response and governing powers. Legislators have floated several proposals to lift the state’s 10-month-old coronavirus emergency order — and this week, the House passed a proposal to rescind Little’s limits on public gatherings, including spectators at school sporting events. Removing the emergency order could disrupt Idaho’s coronavirus vaccine rollout, Department of Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen said Tuesday.
In other coronavirus headlines:
Ybarra proposal draws fire. State superintendent Sherri Ybarra is working on a bill that would prioritize in-person instruction, except in an emergency. The Legislature hasn’t heard the bill yet, but some superintendents are already pushing back, calling it an affront to local control.
Streamlining the vaccine process. Little issued an executive order Thursday requiring medical providers to better report on coronavirus vaccination rates and vaccine inventories. The move comes as K-12 teachers and staff continue to receive vaccines, and as Idahoans over the age of 65 can begin signing up for shots.
MIS-C cases. Health and Welfare reported an additional seven cases of a rare disorder, associated with COVID-19. In all, 16 Idahoans have been diagnosed with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C. The patients, ranging in age from 3 to 16 years old, were all hospitalized. No deaths have been reported.
Here are this week’s numbers, and comparisons with the previous week:
| Statewide data | Jan. 22 | Jan. 29 | Change, Jan. 16-22 | Change, Jan. 23-29 |
| Cases, confirmed and probable | 158,956 | 162,455 | 4,293 | 3,499 |
| Total cases, ages 0-4 | 2,326 | 2,381 | 71 | 55 |
| Total cases, ages 5-12 | 5,596 | 5,802 | 200 | 206 |
| Total cases, ages 13-17 | 8,841 | 9,100 | 265 | 259 |
| Total cases, ages 18-29 | 39,696 | 40,516 | 1,005 | 820 |
| Deaths | 1,667 | 1,725 | 63 | 58 |
| Patients ever hospitalized | 6,464 | 6,659 | 195 | 195 |
| Patients ever admitted to ICU | 1,127 | 1,165 | 29 | 38 |
| Patients recovered, estimated | 75,041 | 81,034 | 4,878 | 5,993 |
| Total tests administered | 954,658 | 987,111 | 31,451 | 32,453 |
| Health care workers infected | 8,418 | 8,774 | 386 | 356 |
| Idahoans vaccinated | 68,627 | 94,071 | 27,203 | 25,444 |
| Idahoans fully vaccinated (two doses) | 13,732 | 20,301 | 3,993 | 6,569 |
| Vaccine doses administered | 82,475 | 114,372 | 31,242 | 31,897 |
Weekly positive test rate, as reported by the state: 8.3 percent for week ending Jan. 23, down 2.5 percentage points from the week ending Jan. 16.
| Top 10 counties, by total cases | Jan. 22 | Jan. 29 | New cases, Jan. 23-29 | New cases per day, per 100,000 population |
| Ada | 43,374 | 44,369 | 995 | 29.5 |
| Canyon | 23,277 | 23,709 | 432 | 26.8 |
| Kootenai | 15,175 | 15,679 | 504 | 43.5 |
| Bonneville | 11,281 | 11,451 | 170 | 20.4 |
| Twin Falls | 8,621 | 8,736 | 115 | 18.9 |
| Bannock | 7,200 | 7,342 | 142 | 23.1 |
| Madison | 5,738 | 5,852 | 114 | 41.0 |
| Bingham | 3,983 | 4,054 | 71 | 21.7 |
| Nez Perce | 3,246 | 3,289 | 43 | 15.2 |
| Cassia | 2,724 | 2,759 | 35 | 20.8 |
| Ten hotspot counties (most daily cases, per 100,000 population) | Jan. 22 | Jan. 29 | New cases, Jan. 23-29 | New cases per day, per 100,000 population |
| Teton | 925 | 991 | 66 | 77.7 |
| Blaine | 1,830 | 1,937 | 107 | 66.4 |
| Valley | 683 | 734 | 51 | 64.0 |
| Clearwater | 938 | 975 | 37 | 60.4 |
| Bonner | 2,525 | 2,669 | 144 | 45.0 |
| Kootenai | 15,175 | 15,679 | 504 | 43.5 |
| Madison | 5,738 | 5,852 | 114 | 41.0 |
| Oneida | 295 | 308 | 13 | 41.0 |
| Washington | 1,126 | 1,154 | 28 | 39.2 |
| Gem | 1,594 | 1,642 | 48 | 37.9 |
