Idaho reported a one-day record increase in coronavirus cases Wednesday.
The state reported 223 new, confirmed cases Wednesday. The previous one-day record —222 new, confirmed cases — occurred on April 2, during the initial surge of the coronavirus pandemic in Idaho.
These Wednesday numbers do not include new, probable cases of coronavirus. In addition, some of the state’s health districts are reporting slightly higher case numbers than the state is reporting.
All told, the state and its health districts reported 4,667 confirmed or probable cases of coronavirus Wednesday afternoon.
Some of the largest increases have occurred in Ada County. On Monday, Central District Health moved Ada County back to stage three of Idaho’s business reopening plan, closing bars and prohibiting gatherings of more than 50 people.
However, neighboring Canyon County has reported similar increases in recent days. But Southwest District Health officials have said they have no plans to impose new restrictions, (Details from Ruth Brown of the Idaho Statesman.)
Another current hotspot is more than 400 miles north of the Treasure Valley: Kootenai County.
During an AARP Idaho teleconference Wednesday, Gov. Brad Little voiced concern over the increasing case numbers. “Things aren’t great right now.” He has a news conference scheduled for Thursday to discuss Idaho’s business reopening plan.
The recent trends:
| Statewide statistics | June 19 | June 24 | Change |
| Cases, confirmed and probable | 3,888 | 4,667 | 20 percent |
| Deaths | 89 | 90 | 1 percent |
| Hospitalizations | 279 | 300 | 8 percent |
| ICU admissions | 101 | 106 | 5 percent |
| Patients recovered | 3,183 | 3,610 | 13 percent |
| Tests completed | 70,791 | 80,060 | 13 percent |
| Positive test rate (approximate: some patients undergo multiple tests) | 5.5 percent | 5.8 percent | +0.3 percentage point |
| Cases in select counties | |||
| Ada County | 1,100 | 1,486 | 35 percent |
| Canyon County | 403 | 546 | 35 percent |
| Twin Falls County | 507 | 532 | 5 percent |
| Blaine County | 518 | 524 | 1 percent |
| Jerome County | 216 | 232 | 7 percent |
| Cassia County | 163 | 191 | 17 percent |
| Kootenai County | 115 | 155 | 35 percent |
| Minidoka County | 115 | 136 | 18 percent |
| Bonneville County | 92 | 103 | 12 percent |
