As most health districts are opening coronavirus vaccinations to more and more Idahoans, the state’s vaccination numbers slowed this week.

The state administered 77,431 vaccines in the past week — a 17 percent dropoff from last week’s record vaccination rate.

This comes as the vaccine is now available to anyone over age 16, across most of the state. The expanded vaccination guidelines  prompted University of Idaho officials this week to urge students to get a shot. Meanwhile, Boise State University is hosting a vaccination clinic Saturday for residential students.

While the vaccination numbers dropped considerably, new case numbers were virtually unchanged.

As of Friday afternoon, the state and its seven health districts reported 181,285 confirmed or probable coronavirus cases, a 1.1 percent weekly increase. For the past several weeks, new case numbers have hovered at about 2,000 cases per week.

Another trend held this week: The state’s highest infection rates are generally concentrated in Eastern Idaho.

Meanwhile, infection rates crept upward in several of the state’s urban centers, including Ada, Canyon, Kootenai, Twin Falls and Bannock counties.

In other coronavirus headlines from the week:

K-12 cases drop. The Department of Health and Welfare reported at least 71 coronavirus cases in the K-12 system — but that’s the lowest weekly number since early October. Last week’s dropoff coincided with spring break in many of the state’s largest school districts.

A federal funding delay. The Legislature in March decided to withhold tens of millions of dollars in federal coronavirus stimulus funds from schools, saying it would free up the funding after July 1. Some school officials say the delay will cause cashflow issues, and the State Board of Education might step in to address the issue.

Back to work at the Statehouse. The Legislature will return to work Tuesday, after a coronavirus outbreak forced a historic 18-day recess. Don’t expect any new pandemic protocols — but expect a full dash to the finish, as lawmakers try to pass education budgets and far-reaching education policy bills in the next couple of weeks. (Click to The Kevin Richert Podcast for an interview with Senate President Pro Tem Chuck Winder.)

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 27, unchanged from the previous week.