The coronavirus trendline: The week in review (4.17.20 edition)

As Idaho public schools, colleges and universities remain closed — and a statewide stay-at-home order remains in place — the coronavirus spread shows continued signs of slowing.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and the state’s health districts reported 1,658 coronavirus cases Friday afternoon. A week ago, that number stood at 1,398.

Confirmed and probable cases have increased by 19 percent over the past week.

For the previous week — April 3 through April 10 — case numbers increased by 38 percent.

Gov. Brad Little has said Idahoans’ compliance with the stay-at-home order is helping to slow the spread of coronavirus. Little Wednesday extended the order through April 30, with modifications to allow some “non-essential” businesses to reopen, if they can provide delivery or curbside service. Little urged Idahoans to continue to practice social distancing and wear masks or facial coverings in public, and said visitors to Idaho must self-quarantine for 14 days.

Idaho’s public school buildings remain closed, under a State Board of Education order running through the end of the academic year. However, the State Board Thursday laid out guidelines that could allow schools to reopen later this spring.

Other one-week comparisons:

April 10 April 17 One-week change
Deaths 25 43 72 percent
Hospitalizations 128 151 18 percent
ICU admissions 35 53 51 percent
Cases, Ada County 513 593 16 percent
Cases, Blaine County 452 475 5 percent
Cases, Canyon County 145 187 29 percent
Cases, Twin Falls County 73 110 51 percent
Cases, Kootenai County 44 50 14 percent
Tests completed 13,764 16,609 21 percent
Positive test rate (approximate: some patients undergo multiple tests) 10.2 10.0 -0.2 percentage points

 

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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