Five counties downgraded to 'minimal risk' for coronavirus
All five counties that the Panhandle Health District serves were moved to the minimal-risk category for the coronavirus on Thursday.
Kootenai, Bonner, Boundary, Benewah, and Shoshone counties are now in the yellow category. They had been in orange, which is moderate risk.
The daily number of coronavirus cases in North Idaho has decreased dramatically since December and the positivity rate has fallen to its lowest in months.
“We are cautiously optimistic seeing these trends,” said Jeff Lee, PHD epidemiologist.
Metrics monitored to determine the move to yellow:
• New daily cases 7-day rolling average 1-15 per 100,000
• Testing positivity rate 5-8%
• Regional hospital bed occupancy 75-90% with staffing and resource shortages
“Although these trends are promising, this is not the time to let our guard down," Lee said. "These trends are in part due to the precautions we have been taking and should continue to take until we reach a level of herd immunity that will provide greater protection.”
PHD reported 38 new coronavirus cases on Thursday and two COVID-19 related deaths.
In Kootenai County, 15,867 people are considered fully vaccinated, while 15,580 have received one of two doses in a two-dose series.
The state's coronavirus positivity rate remained 4.6% for the third straight week on Thursday.
The PHD's positivity rate fell to 5.1% for the week ending March 6, down from 5.3%, while Kootenai County's rose slightly to 5.8%, from 5.6%.
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and PHD encourage Idahoans to choose to receive the COVID-19 vaccine "because there is evidence the authorized COVID-19 vaccines will provide protections from virus variants. This is being closely investigated and more studies are under way," according to a press release.
COVID-19 variants have been identified in multiple areas of Idaho and around the nation.
PHD says masking, physical distancing, hand washing, avoiding large crowds and "getting vaccinated when your turn is up will limit the spread and give the virus less chances to change."