COVID-19 positivity rates keep rising

Kootenai County’s positivity rate for the coronavirus rose to 18.9%, its highest in eight months, based on 3,093 PCR tests for the week ending Aug. 28, according to the latest state figures released Thursday. It had reached a low of 2.9% March 27.

The Panhandle Health District’s climbed to 17.9%, its highest in nearly eight months, based on 4,405 PCR tests. It was 4.3% on July 10.

The state’s positivity rate reached 14.2% based on 35,659 tests. It was the 10th straight week the state's positivity rate has increased. It was 2.8% on June 19.

PHD reported 309 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday. The 339 new cases it reported on Wednesday was the highest in a single day since 410 on Dec. 9.

The state reported 1,604 new cases Thursday, the most in a single day since it reported 1,717 new cases on Dec. 22.

Meanwhile, 737,385 people in Idaho are fully vaccinated, while 84,255 people in the PHD, 40% of those 12 and older, are fully vaccinated, and 57,690, also 40%, are fully vaccinated.