PHD confirms first COVID-19-related deaths in Bonner County

The Panhandle Health District on Wednesday reported the first and second deaths related to COVID-19 in Bonner County.

The individuals, a man and a woman, resided in Bonner County and were in their 80s.

The PHD has had 69 COVID-19 related deaths, with 44 of the deaths Kootenai County residents. Three deaths have occurred in Benewah County residents, one death was a Boundary County resident, and 18 were Shoshone County residents.

“Our thoughts are with the families and loved ones during this difficult time,” said Lora Whalen, PHD director.

PHD now has 4,070 total coronavirus cases, with 61 new cases on Wednesday. It reported 3,385 closed cases.

For the week of Sept. 27 to Oct. 3, PHD reported 2,746 PCR tests were completed, with a 6.7 percent positivity rate.

Statewide for that same week, the Idaho Division of Public Health reported 21,841 tests, with a positivity rate of 10.5 percent

PHD urges residents to take precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19. This includes practicing physical distancing, wearing cloth face coverings in public places, practicing good hand hygiene, staying home when sick, sanitizing high-touch surfaces regularly and isolating if you show symptoms of COVID-19.

Health officials have said that for most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as a fever and cough. For some — such as older adults and people with existing health problems or obesity — it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death."