Area virus cases increase slightly over weekend

by Staff
| June 9, 2020 1:00 AM

COEUR d’ALENE — The number of coronavirus cases in Kootenai County has reached 85.

The Panhandle Health District reported that as of Monday, it has confirmed 106 cases in the five northern counties.

There are seven in Benewah County, six in Bonner, and still none in Boundary or Shoshone counties. There are eight cases labeled “undetermined.”

Kootenai County had 80 cases as of last Friday. Since then, there were five new ones.

Katherine Hoyer, PHD spokeswoman, said they expected an increase in cases with the reopening of restaurants, gyms and salons on May 15, and bars on May 30.

She said the community should continue to practice precautions when going out in public, such as physical distancing, wearing a cloth face covering, staying home if you are sick, washing hands often, and sanitizing frequently.

The last stage of Gov. Brad Little’s Idaho Rebounds, stage four, is set for June 13. It will allow nightclubs to operate with “diminished standing-room occupancy,” and large venues can operate “under limited physical distancing protocols.”

According to PHD, people with COVID-19 have had a wide range of symptoms reported — ranging from mild symptoms to severe illness. These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus.