Idaho restrictions remain; governor touts food banks

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little said Friday that he will keep the state in his fourth and final stage for reopening the economy for at least another two weeks as coronavirus infection rates and hospitalizations continue to exceed established metrics.

The Republican governor said the state has sufficient ICU beds, ventilators and personal protective equipment. He also said the number of people being admitted to hospitals is stabilizing, and that positivity test rates are falling.

Little spoke at the Idaho Foodbank in Boise, where he emphasized the need to support food banks during the pandemic when many people have lost jobs. He said $2.5 million in coronavirus relief money will be made available to food banks in the state.

“More and more Idaho families are turning to their local food banks and food assistance programs during the coronavirus pandemic,” Little said.

Johns Hopkins University through Thursday reports that Idaho had more than 29,000 coronavirus infections and 297 deaths.

For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. But for some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.