PHD: 10 more COVID-related deaths

The Panhandle Health District on Thursday reported 10 more deaths attributed to the coronavirus, bringing its total to 191 COVID-related deaths.

Of those, 172 were people age 70 and over, 17 in the 60-69 age bracket and two in the 50-59 group. There have been no reported COVID-related deaths of anyone under the age of 50 in the PHD.

The PHD's coronavirus positivity rate rose to 24.3%, up from 20.2% and the highest in the state, based on 3,982 PCR tests for the week ending Jan. 2.

The state of Idaho's positivity rate rose to 16.2%, based on 23,065 PCR tests. That was up from 12.6% the previous week ending Dec. 26.

The district also reported 253 new cases on Thursday, bringing its total to 17,739 cases, with 12,472 closes cases.

Kootenai Health reported it has 88 COVID-19 inpatients, with 20 requiring critical care, as it operates near capacity.

Health officials continue to urge people to wear masks, wash hands and practice social distancing to help prevent the spread of the virus.