Kootenai County's positivity rate dips
Kootenai County’s most recent coronavirus positivity rate reflected a decrease Thursday, while the number of COVID-19 patients at Kootenai Health declined.
The county’s positivity rate fell to 17.4% from 18.4% based on 2,857 PCR tests for the week ending Aug. 21. The Panhandle Health District's rose slightly to 16.4% based on 4,021 tests, while the state’s positivity rate rose to 13.2 percent based on 30,375 PCR tests.
Kootenai Health, meanwhile, saw its number of coronavirus patients decrease to 93, from a record 96 on Wednesday, with 34 of those requiring critical care.
KH on Wednesday announced it was turning a resource center into a 22-bed patient care center to be ready for an expected increase in COVID-19 patients.
Gov. Brad Little said Thursday he was taking additional steps to relieve the strain on hospitals.
Three COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment facilities are planned in North Idaho, eastern Idaho and the Treasure Valley.
“Monoclonal antibody treatment involves therapeutic medications that are proving to be effective in keeping people from getting severely ill and requiring hospitalization after contracting COVID-19,” a press release said. “The centers will help preserve hospital bed capacity for the severely ill.”
Kootenai Health said separate rooms in the Health Resource Center have been converted to provide monoclonal antibody therapy to COVID-19 patients who are not hospitalized.
The press release said North Idaho will be a priority due to low vaccination rates.
According to the state’s website, Kootenai County’s vaccination rate of those 12 and older is 45%, which places it in the middle of the pack. Counties with lower rates include Idaho County at 29%, Boise County at 30%, and Owyhee County at 33%. Some with higher vaccination rates are Ada County at 64%, Valley County at 63% and Bonneville County at 57%.
Little said he is directing $10 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds “to address constraints and emerging needs in Idaho hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.”
The funds will be used to make more space available to provide care for COVID-19 patients and address staffing shortages.
The governor continues to urge people to get the vaccine, saying it is safe with minimal side effects.
“There are too many unvaccinated people in our hospitals right now,” he said.