Idaho reaches grim milestone: More than 100,000 virus cases

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho has reached an alarming milestone, with health officials reporting that more than 100,000 residents have been infected with the coronavirus.

That number reached Sunday is likely an undercount, partly because some infected people experience little or no symptoms and may not seek out testing. One out of every 199 Idaho residents has tested positive for the virus in the past week, according to numbers compiled by Johns Hopkins University. At least 920 have died from COVID-19 so far.

Hospitalizations of patients with COVID-19 also keep climbing, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, with a record-high 470 patients reported as of Wednesday — the most recent data available.

The latest average rate of positive tests in Idaho is 44.35%, according to data from the COVID Tracking Project.

On Sunday, the total number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Idaho increased to 100,484. Health experts have warned the number of new cases could sharply climb in coming weeks, with many people ignoring recommendations to avoid gathering with anyone outside their household over Thanksgiving.