This week’s coronavirus trendline (7.31.20 edition)

Two coronavirus trends continued over the past week.

Idaho again reported its deadliest week of the outbreak.

Meanwhile, new cases dropped slightly — both statewide and in the coronavirus hotspots of Ada and Canyon counties.

Since Saturday, 43 Idahoans have died from COVID-19, up from 28 deaths the previous week. The state’s COVID-19 death toll now stands at 189.

As of Friday afternoon, the state and its seven health districts reported 20,846 confirmed or probable coronavirus cases, a 20 percent increase. Cases increased by 21 percent a week ago.

Recapping coronavirus headlines from the week:

School reopening debate intensifies. The Nampa School District delayed the start of its school year, and will start the year online. The Kuna School District will start the year with a blended model of in-person and online learning. Boise school trustees will decide Monday on a plan for the start of the 2020-21 school year, but on Wednesday, Superintendent Coby Dennis cast doubt on whether the district could start the school year on Aug. 17 with face-to-face learning.

Masks in schools. Students and staff will be required to wear masks in all Ada County schools, after a Central District Health board vote Tuesday. Board members said the county’s previous mask mandate applies to public schools and higher education institutions.

Legislature on deck? Two legislative “working groups” want Gov. Brad Little to convene lawmakers for a special session to address coronavirus-related issues. One possible topic is on a fast track: a bill that would protect schools and other entities from civil lawsuits stemming from coronavirus cases or outbreaks.

Here’s the data for the week. (And comparisons with last week.)

Statewide data July 24 July 31 Change, July 25-31 Change, July 18-24
Cases, confirmed and probable 17,404 20,846 3,442 3,555
Deaths 146 189 43 28
Hospitalizations 709 850 141 139
ICU admissions 210 249 39 40
Patients recovered 5,251 6,998 1,747 1,424
Tests completed 162,384 180,615 18,231 20,748
Health care workers infected 1,033 1,228 195 178
Positive test rate (approximate: some patients undergo multiple tests) 10.7 percent 11.5 percent +0.8 percentage points +0.9 percentage points

 

Cases in select counties July 24 July 31 New cases, July 25-31 New cases, July 18-24
Ada 6,732 7,834 1,102 1,185
Canyon 3,814 4,706 892 980
Kootenai 1,246 1,538 292 280
Twin Falls 1,023 1,199 176 116
Bonneville 461 685 224 196
Blaine 560 568 8 5
Cassia 409 461 52 64
Minidoka 369 419 50 76
Jerome 369 414 45 24
Bannock 294 355 61 72
Payette 268 323 55 40
Owyhee 175 227 52 52
Bingham 160 220 60 38
Elmore 136 197 61 19
Washington 162 183 21 18
Gem 117 150 33 30
Bonner 123 145 22 30
Gooding 111 131 20 17
Jefferson 74 131 57 32
Madison 113 131 18 23
Nez Perce 122 128 6 6

 

 

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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