PHD: 23 new cases

The Panhandle Health District reported 23 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday, the lowest single-day count in more than seven weeks.

Of the district’s 2,520 total cases, 1,982 are considered closed and the number of active cases dropped to 538, which is about 0.21 percent of the PHD’s population.

Two more deaths were reported, bringing the number of fatalities in the PHD attributed to COVID-19 to 30, with two residents being in their 60s and the rest over the age of 70.

There are currently 17 people with the coronavirus hospitalized at Kootenai Health, with seven in critical care.

People in the 18 to 39 age range account for 1,040 of the virus cases in PHD, with 11 of those at one point hospitalized.

Kootenai County has had 2,104 COVID-19 cases, Bonner 192, Shoshone 172, Benewah 81 and Boundary 42.

After several days in July with single-day new cases over 50, even topping 100, the number of new PHD cases seems to be slowing, with 30 on Friday, 32 Monday and 31 on Tuesday.

The last time PHD saw fewer new coronavirus cases in a single day was five on June 26.

Health officials continue to remind residents to wear a mask, maintain social distance and wash hands often to help prevent the spread of the virus.