Despite thriving economy, Idaho stuck in Stage 4
Little
Idaho remains stuck in Stage 4.
Gov. Brad Little said Friday that despite a strong economy and positive signs the state is doing well while fighting the coronavirus, too many COVID-19 patients remain hospitalized to move ahead.
The state will remain in Stage 4 of Little's Idaho Rebounds economic plan at least two more weeks, keeping restrictions like social distancing in large gatherings in place.
Little said he will continue to use data and science to guide his decisions.
"My goal continues to be keeping Idahoans safe," he said during a press conference in Boise.
He did express fears that as temperatures drop outside, people will congregate inside, which could lead to increased transmissions of COVID-19.
Little said officials fear people will have "COVID fatigue," believe the worst is over and stop taking the steps to prevent its spread.
"Those are the factors we’re worried about," he said.
He stressed protecting family and friends by wearing masks, maintaining social distance and washing hands.
"I urge Idahoans, please do not let your guard down," he said.
Key to moving the state out of Stage 4, Little said, is reducing the number of hospitalizations and patients in ICU.
According to the state coronavirus website, on Monday Idaho hospitals had 123 patients with suspected or confirmed cases of the coronavirus, and 54 patients in intensive care units, which was an increase of eight from the day before.
Kootenai Health on Friday had 15 COVID-19 patients, with four in critical care.
“Idahoans have faced much hardship this year, but we have been working hard to ease the challenges and restore the prosperity Idaho had before the global pandemic,” Little said.
Meantime, he said while many states remain in different degrees of lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus, Idaho's businesses and churches have been open, tourism has been strong, and students are returning to schools.
Idaho truly is the envy of other states.
"Idaho's budget is amazingly robust," he said.
Little cited several rankings about Idaho's economy, including being No. 1 for economic momentum (FFIS index); financial solvency (Barron’s report); personal income growth over past year (PEW); and No. 3 for best employment rate (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
He highlighted six ways Idaho is "accelerating such a strong economic rebound.
Those included prioritizing direct support for Idaho businesses and citizens in the allocation of federal coronavirus relief funds; cutting red tape to ease burdens on businesses, invest in K-12 education during the pandemic to support students, families, and a strong economic rebound and engaging the business community and experts in all aspects of the coronavirus response.
"A primary reason we are able to achieve this remarkable economic position is because of our personal actions to slow the spread of coronavirus in our communities," Little said.