PHD: Coronavirus cases reach 315

COEUR d’ALENE — The Panhandle Health District reported 30 new coronavirus cases Tuesday, bringing PHD’s total to 315.

Kootenai County’s count rose to 255, an increase of 26 cases. Benewah County remained at 13 cases, Bonner County rose one to 30 while Boundary County remained at one, PHD said. There are 16 undetermined cases.

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

PHD reported that 38 people age 18 and younger have had or have the coronavirus, 178 cases are people ages 19 to 49, and 99 are 50 and over.

One hundred and 64 cases are female, while 151 are male.

Keys to prevent the spread of the coronavirus are to maintain social distancing, wash hands, avoid large crowds and wear masks in public, say health officials.

“The precautions for avoiding COVID-19 are the same as those for avoiding the flu and common cold,” PHD says on its website.

Health officials said if someone has had close contact with a positive case, they should begin to self-isolate.

COVID-19 testing is available in North Idaho and anyone who needs to be tested is encouraged to call their primary care provider or PHD’s hotline.

Info: panhandlehealthdistrict.org/covid-19 or call the PHD Hotline Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 877-415-5225.