Idaho adopts stricter guidelines to limit coronavirus spread
Idaho Gov. Brad Little, left, announces stricter guidelines for social interactions to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, and also livestreaming the discussion, at his ceremonial office in the Statehouse in Boise on Wednesday, March 18, 2020. Sign language interpreter Steven Stubbs is at center; state epidemiologist Christine Hahn is at right. For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms. For some it can cause more severe illness, especially in older adults and people with existing health problems. (AP Photo/Keith Ridler)
A sign outside the First United Methodist Church in Moscow, Idaho, notifies members on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, that church services will be held online. The temporary change was made to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. (Geoff Crimmins/Moscow-Pullman Daily News via AP)
A sign on the door to the First United Methodist Church in Moscow, Idaho, notifies members on Wednesday, March 18, 2020, that church services will be held online through the end of March. The temporary change was made to help slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. (Geoff Crimmins/Moscow-Pullman Daily News via AP)
Ashley Layton, an LPN at St. Luke's Meridian Medical Center, communicates with a person before taking swab sample at a special outdoor drive-thru screening station for COVID-19 coronavirus Tuesday, March 17, 2020. (Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman via AP)
Nurse manager Cullen Anderson, RN, screens people in a line of cars waiting to be tested for COVID-19 coronavirus at a drive-thru testing station at St. Luke's Meridian Medical Center Tuesday, March 17, 2020 in Meridian Idaho. (Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman via AP)
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho Gov. Brad Little on Wednesday announced stricter guidelines for social interactions in the state to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but no mandatory measures were put in place.
The Republican governor said the state adopted federal guidelines that include a recommendation to avoid social gatherings of more than 10 people.
The guidelines also call for not eating or drinking in bars, restaurants and food courts, but to use drive-thru or pickup options. Little also recommended against unnecessary travel and shopping.
The goal, he said, is to slow the spread so that healthcare facilities aren't overwhelmed and to protect the elderly and people with health conditions, who are more susceptible.
“First and foremost, I have to keep everybody healthy to the extent that I can,” Little said at a news conference. “So I need to minimize the risks now.”
Little said mandatory measures could eventually be put in place, depending on the extent of the virus outbreak. But he said a rural state like Idaho has different circumstances than more populated and urban states where such restrictions have been enacted.
“These variables change,” he said. “What we need to do will change. We have the benefit of learning from other countries and other states.”
Little declared a state emergency last Friday because of the coronavirus, when there were no cases in Idaho. Health officials say 11 people have tested positive for COVID-19 by Wednesday night, in five counties scattered across the southern half of the state. Some schools have closed while others have not.
For most people, the coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover within a few weeks.
State epidemiologist Christine Hahn said officials do not know if any of the cases in Idaho involved community spread, when the origin of a case cannot be identified.
Little said the state was also looking at expanding the ability of healthcare facilities so they would be able to treat more patients. That could involve bringing healthcare workers out of retirement and expediting licensing requirements.
The state is not as prepared as it should be for its virus testing capacity and the amount of medical supplies that could be needed, Little said.
“We're working diligently to address both of those issues,” he said.
The state on its website said about 470 people had been tested and that health officials have been limiting the number of people tested. Officials have also said that commercial testing is becoming more available.
Little said Idaho residents have generally reacted well to fears of the virus spreading, with the exception of people hoarding items like toilet paper.
“I'm concerned about the stress level," he said. “I'm concerned about these people being at home. I'm concerned about people being off work.”