Positive COVID-19 cases multiplying quickly in North Central Idaho

by Nancy C. Butler

I'm not usually a numbers person since words are my forte, but watching the spikes and surges of COVID-19 cases in the last few weeks is getting really concerning and I wanted to share some of those statistics.

Monday, Nov.9, 251 new cases were reported by Public Health-Idaho North Central District (Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis and Nez Perce counties) which is shocking and the highest one-day total in the district since cases started showing up. Of those, Clearwater County had 11 new cases. Tuesday there were an additional 112 new cases in the district, with 10 in Clearwater County.

Clearwater County now has 209 cases, 54 between Monday, Nov. 2 and Monday, Nov. 9. Looking at the data, there were 111 new cases between Oct. 9 and Nov. 9.

In the last month (Oct. 9 - Nov. 9) the number of cases in the district has gone from 1,519 to 3,358. Nez Perce and Latah counties have been moved to the yellow category of risk due to their fast-growing number of cases. Clearwater, Lewis and Idaho counties remain in green. Fortunately, no deaths have been reported in Clearwater County, but the district now has 32.

Check this link to see the regional data tool for determining health alert levels: https://www.idahopublichealth.com/district2/coronavirus/2020-8-20%20FINAL%20DATA%20TOOL.pdf.

School stats

According to Dr. Michael Garrett, Joint School District #171 superintendent, the situation has stabilized at Orofino Elementary and Orofino Junior-Senior High School where both students and teachers have been wearing masks for several weeks. However, now there are cases at Timberline where on Monday there were 13 students and 3 staff quarantined. He said that some of those quarantined were due to family members that were positive.

Idaho Youth ChalleNGe Academy Director Trevor Sparrow said they have some positive case among cadets and staff. Staff is quarantining at home and the cadets were being quarantined at the academy. IDYCA is working with public health and Dr. Kelly McGrath at Clearwater Valley Hospital and Clinics and has notified the cadets' parents.

*The cadets with positive tests will probably not show on the stats for Clearwater County since a person who tests positive is counted in their county of residence.