PHD: Coronavirus cases rise to 285

Kootenai County saw 46 new coronavirus cases over the weekend as the tally climbed to 229 on Monday.

The Panhandle Health District reported a total of 285 cases, an increase of 65 from Friday.

Benewah County remained at 13 cases, Bonner County rose five to 29 while Boundary County remained at one, PHD said. There are 13 undetermined cases.

PHD said 121 cases are no longer being monitored, one person is currently hospitalized and there have been a total of 16 hospitalizations. There has been one death in Kootenai County.

Several coffee shops have been reported closed due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19.

Katherine Hoyer, PHD spokeswoman, told The Press there have been recent instances in social settings where there has been “little to no social distancing” and it could be contributing to the rise in coronavirus cases.

PHD reminds the public to maintain social distancing, wash hands, avoid large crowds and wear masks in public.

“The precautions for avoiding COVID-19 are the same as those for avoiding the flu and common cold,” PHD said. PHD reported that 35 people age 18 and younger have had or have the coronavirus, 160 cases are people ages 19 to 49, and 89 are 50 and over.

One hundred and 43 cases are female, while 142 are male, PHD said.

On Thursday, PHD confirmed the first case of novel coronavirus in Boundary County. The individual contracted the virus while traveling, a PHD press release said.

Statewide, Idaho has 5,319 confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases, 171 new cases today, 3,898 cases recovered, and 91 deaths. Nearly 2,000 of Idaho’s cases are there 18 to 29 age group.

When restaurants, salons and gyms reopened May 16 under Stage 2 of Gov. Brad Little’s Idaho Rebounds plan, PHD reported 68 coronavirus cases, with 64 in Kootenai County.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 2.5 million cases of coronavirus in the U.S. with 126, 369 deaths.