K-12 coronavirus numbers increase, but remain well below fall peaks

After a three-week dropoff, Idaho’s K-12 coronavirus case numbers increased somewhat last week.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported at least 99 K-12 cases for a seven-day period ending Sunday.

While that’s an increase, the K-12 case numbers remain well below the peaks reported in late fall.

The week’s hotspots:

  • Wood River High School, Hailey: 10 cases.
  • Eagle High School: Seven cases.
  • Bonneville High School, Idaho Falls: Six cases.
  • Riverglen Junior High School, Boise: Four cases.
  • Rocky Mountain High School, Meridian: Four cases.

Through Sunday, Health and Welfare has linked at least 6,623 coronavirus cases to K-12 students and teachers, up from 6,507 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: 142 cases.
  • Coeur d’Alene High School: 100 cases.
  • Mountain View High School, Meridian: 94 cases.
  • Eagle High School: At least 93 cases.
  • Rocky Mountain High School, Meridian: 89 cases.
  • Bonneville High School: At least 87 cases.
  • Thunder Ridge High School, Idaho Falls: At least 82 cases.
  • Jerome High School: 80 cases.
  • Meridian High School: 80 cases.
  • Hillcrest High School, Ammon: At least 75 cases.

Through Saturday, the state and its health districts have reported 171,181 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]

Get EdNews in your inbox

Weekly round up every Friday