As Idaho continues to speed up its vaccination schedule, the state’s new coronavirus case numbers fell slightly this week.

On Friday afternoon, the state and its seven health districts reported 179,294 confirmed or probable coronavirus cases, a 1.1 percent weekly increase.

New weekly case numbers have remained relatively stable for several weeks, but this week’s 2,002 new cases represent an 11 percent decrease.

Other metrics showed improvement as well.

Deaths decreased sharply.

New hospitalizations and ICU admissions decreased.

And vaccinations increased by another 12 percent, reaching another weekly high.

As the vaccination numbers continue to climb, Gov. Brad Little Wednesday announced an accelerated schedule — one that could more quickly put shots in arms for college and university professors and staff, and high school and college students.

On Monday, 16- to 44-year-olds with a medical condition can receive the vaccine. On April 5, the vaccine will be available to all Idahoans over the age of 16. The state on Wednesday made the vaccine available to all Idahoans over the age of 45.

While K-12 teachers and staff have been eligible to receive the vaccine since January, the state didn’t move college and university professors and staff up its priority list.

Where we were, one year ago: A historic week in Idaho’s battle with the pandemic. On March 23, 2020, the State Board of Education ordered a four-week, statewide schools closure. Little followed two days later with a statewide stay-at-home order. On March 26, 2020, the state reported 192 coronavirus cases, nearly half in Blaine County, and reported its first three coronavirus deaths.

Here are this week’s numbers, and comparisons with the previous week:

Weekly positive test rate, as reported by the state: 5.1 percent for week ending March 20, down from 5.5 percent the previous week.