PHD: 345 new cases over weekend, Monday

Panhandle Health District reported 345 new coronavirus cases over the weekend and Monday, bringing its total to 89 deaths attributed to the virus and 7,655 cases.

Closed cases total 5,326, leaving 2,329 active cases, about .85% of PHD’s population.

Kootenai County had 247 new cases over three days, bringing its total to 5,968 cases and 62 deaths attributed to the virus.

Kootenai Health reported it had 39 coronavirus patients, with nine in critical care.

Gov. Brad Little on Friday ordered the state back into Stage 2 in the Idaho Rebounds plan. It calls for continued wearing of masks, social distancing and hand washing. It also prohibits gatherings of 10 or more people, both public and private.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee's directive, which went into effect Monday night, closes restaurants, bars, gyms, theaters and museums, and restricts gatherings in homes to those who already live there.

Some fear that will lead more Spokane area residents to cross the state line into Idaho, whose restaurants and bars remain open, with some restrictions like staying seated.