‘Remain calm’
Kootenai Health Director of Communications Kim Anderson, left, and Panhandle Health Director Lora Whalen and other community leaders remind what steps people can take to protect from COVID-19. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
From left, Kootenai Health Director of Cummunication Kim Anderson, Panhandle Health Director Lora Whalen, Kootenai County Sheriff Ben Wolfinger, Kootenai County EMS Chief Officer Chris Way, and Kootenai County Commissioner Chris Fillios hold a press conference to answer questions about COVID-19, false information on the social media platforms, and steps people can take to protect themselves. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
Local health officials recommend avoiding groups of 10 or more
As of noon Monday, there were still no known cases of the coronavirus in North Idaho.
However, with five confirmed cases in the state and one of the highest concentrations of the virus in the United States in neighboring Washington state, Kootenai County officials are urging the public to follow recommendations to limit the spread of the disease.
“All of us know somebody who is in one of those at-risk populations,” said Kootenai Health external communications director Kim Anderson during a Monday afternoon press conference. “This is really about the community coming together to protect our most vulnerable citizens.”
Individuals with heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes, those over 60 years of age, and persons with compromised immune systems are at a greater risk of having moderate to severe illness if they contract the COVID-19 virus.
“Eighty percent of folks will have mild illness,” Anderson said. “But 15% will have moderate to severe illness and 2-5% will require a respirator.”
Everyone is susceptible to the virus, but Anderson urged the public to help slow the curve by taking preventative measures.
“It’s OK to go out shopping, but avoid social gatherings of 10 or more people,” Anderson said.
Kootenai Health is conserving resources and looking to counterparts in Seattle and around the world to learn from what hospitals did well and what they could have done differently.
“The message for people is to remain calm and practice proper behaviors,” Anderson said. “One of the really important things at this time is that we do not overreact or underreact.”
Panhandle Health District Director Lora Whalen encouraged the public to seek information from trusted websites including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, and the National Institutes of Health. She dissuaded the public from garnering virus-related information from social media platforms.
Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Ryan Higgins said the purpose of the county’s emergency declaration Sunday was to provide for a trusted source of information. The county will affirm the declaration today and likely extend it for the full duration of the pandemic.
The public is encouraged to contact Panhandle Health District via the Coronavirus Information Hotline 877-415-5225 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
