First COVID death in North Idaho

North Idaho has experienced its first death related to COVID-19.

Panhandle Health District reported the individual was from Kootenai County and in his 70s. He had been hospitalized because of complications from the virus. No additional details will be released out of respect for him and his family.

"Our hearts are with the family, friends and neighbors who are grieving,” said PHD director Lora Whalen in a press release on Monday. "We’ve all seen reports of COVID-19-related deaths in other states and counties, but losing a friend, and neighbor, reminds us how important it is to continue working to protect each other during this pandemic.”

PHD urges all residents to take precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19. This includes practicing physical distancing, wearing cloth face coverings in public places, practicing good hand hygiene, staying home when sick, regularly sanitizing frequently touched surfaces and isolating immediately if you show symptoms of COVID-19.

The number of cases reported by PHD on Monday was at 126. Ninety-nine were in Kootenai County, 10 in Benewah County, seven in Bonner County and 10 undetermined.

Of those, 100 are no longer being monitored, while there have been a total of 14 hospitalizations.

PHD will continue to closely monitor the situation and is working with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, city leaders, tribal communities, schools, emergency management, first responders, health care providers and the community at large to help prevent the spread of this virus. The Panhandle area covers the five northern counties: Kootenai, Bonner, Benewah, Boundary and Shoshone. According to the Centers for Disease Control, people with COVID-19 have reported a wide range of symptoms, from mild symptoms to severe illness.

Symptoms may appear two to 14 days after exposure to the virus.