K-12 cases increase, largely due to Eastern Idaho hotspots

Coronavirus case numbers increased across Idaho’s K-12 system — largely due to hotspots in Eastern Idaho.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported at least 118 K-12 cases for a seven-day period ending Sunday, up from 98 cases the previous week.

The K-12 trends mirror overall statewide patterns. Last week, the state’s highest infection rates occurred in Eastern Idaho. And Idaho’s K-12 hotspots are in Pocatello and the Idaho Falls area:

  • Rocky Mountain Middle School, Idaho Falls: Six cases.
  • Thunder Ridge High School, Idaho Falls: Six cases.
  • Alameda Middle School, Pocatello: Five cases.
  • Bonneville High School, Idaho Falls: Five cases.
  • Century High School, Pocatello: Five cases.
  • Woodland Hills Elementary School, Ammon: Five cases.

Through Sunday, Health and Welfare has linked at least 7,022 coronavirus cases to K-12 students and teachers, up from 6,918 a week ago.

The weekly reports are a snapshot, and they’re incomplete.

Not every school reports its case numbers weekly. Health and Welfare does not release any case numbers from schools with fewer than 50 students, citing privacy concerns. In some cases, Health and Welfare provides only a minimum number of coronavirus cases for a school.

The highest case numbers for 2020-21, by school:

  • Lake City High School, Coeur d’Alene: 149 cases.
  • Coeur d’Alene High School: 109 cases.
  • Bonneville High School, Idaho Falls: At least 99 cases.
  • Eagle High School: At least 98 cases.
  • Thunder Ridge High School, Idaho Falls: At least 96 cases.
  • Mountain View High School, Meridian: 96 cases.
  • Rocky Mountain High School, Meridian: 93 cases.
  • Hillcrest High School, Ammon: At least 84 cases.
  • Meridian High School: 82 cases.
  • Jerome High School: 81 cases.

Through Saturday, the state and its health districts have reported 177,292 confirmed or probable coronavirus cases.

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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