BOISE, Idaho — Click here for the latest daily updates.
Wednesday, April 15
8:57 p.m. - In case you missed it: Gov. Brad Little extended his statewide stay-at-home order through the end of the month, but is allowing some "non-essential" businesses to reopen; Idaho leaders are using a state-specific COVID-19 model, designed by University of Idaho researchers, to guide decisions; and an Idaho farmer gives away thousands of potatoes.
6:25 p.m. - Updated numbers from the state and local health districts show 41 deaths statewide, 1,509 total cases.
The state is also reporting an additional 78 "probable" cases, which have not been confirmed by testing. See a county-by-county case breakdown and other interactive graphs in our map and timeline.
4:52 p.m. - Ada County adds 10 confirmed cases, statewide total now at 1,495
4:25 p.m. - Boise State University will suspend campus events and summer camps through July 5.
University staff members are working with event organizers to reschedule events and to convert planned in-person gatherings into remote events. The university will review public health guidelines and recommendations in early June, and will announce an update on the status of remaining summer events on June 11.
4:01 p.m.- Nez Perce County confirms one more death, county total reached 10
12:57 p.m.- Statewide confirmed cases reaches 1,485
12:34 p.m.- Idaho Supreme Court announces that court facilities and services will continue conducting reduced operations for an additional week, through April 22.
11 a.m. - Idaho Gov. Brad Little extends stay-at-home order through April 30
Idaho Gov. Brad Little announced that he will extend closures and the statewide stay-at-home order through April 30. He directed Idahoans to continue social distancing efforts and avoid gatherings through that date.
In addition, the governor ordered all out-of-state travelers to Idaho to quarantine themselves for 14 days, with the exception of people performing essential services and those who live in one state and work in another.
The governor said he is hopeful that businesses will be able to reopen after April 30.
"Believe me, no one wants to get Idaho back to work more than me," he said. "Our goal is for most businesses to open after the end of the month, but with the understanding that it may not be possible if there is an upward trend in severe COVID-19 cases in Idaho between now and then."
Watch Gov. Little discuss new stay-at-home regulations here:
9 a.m. - Track stimulus check payments
The IRS has an online tool where you can track Economic Impact Payments, also known as coronavirus stimulus checks, as well as update your bank account info online. Note: Some people have been getting a 'payment status not available' message from the tracker.
7:30 a.m. - Idaho's stay-at-home order expires today
Watch live at 11 a.m. (bookmark this page) to hear an update from Idaho. Gov. Brad Little on Idaho's stay-at-home order and what next steps the state is taking amid the coronavirus pandemic. We'll also carry the press conference live on KTVB Channel 7 and our YouTube Channel.
In a telephonic town hall hosted by the AARP Tuesday, the governor indicated that a new executive order to be announced at 11 a.m. Wednesday will include "metrics" regarding what the state needs to see before stay-at-home and social distancing directives are eased. He did not indicate any plans to ease or lift a statewide stay-at-home order when the current order expires just before midnight Wednesday. See more on Tuesday's town hall here.
Gov. Little's Wednesday press conference and live stream will begin shortly before 11 a.m. here:
Tuesday, April 14
9:01 p.m. - Risch leads the charge on the investigation into WHO's pandemic response
One week after Idaho Sen. Jim Risch called for an investigation into the World Health Organization over its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, it looks like he's getting his wish. On Tuesday, President Trump announced a plan to halt U.S. payments to the WHO pending a review of its warnings about the coronavirus and China. Risch, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, spoke with KTVB about his role in the investigation, saying, "At the very least, we oughta insist that they perform properly."
South Central Public Health District is reporting three additional deaths attributed to COVID-19 infections, bringing the county's total death toll to 7. Nez Perce County also reported three new deaths, bringing that county's total to 9. Statewide, 39 people have died. There have been 1,466 confirmed cases, an increase of just 11 since Monday. However, the state is also reporting an additional 28 new probable cases. See a county-by-county case breakdown and other interactive graphs in our map and timeline.
4:45 p.m. - Idaho Republican Party chairman: "Reopen Idaho"
Former U.S. Rep. Raul Labrador, now the Idaho GOP chair, issued a statement saying he has been urging Gov. Brad Little and other state officials to "devise a step-by-step plan to open up our state." Labrador writes that extending the current stay-at-home order without modifications and "keeping our economy closed for an additional period of time will impose real costs on Idaho families that will be felt for years to come." He also writes that the state's decision should be based on "a complete analysis of the costs to our society and not just COVID-19 models."
2:58 p.m. - Resident at Boise nursing home dies from COVID-19, 14 staff and residents either test positive for virus or are probable cases
A resident of a Boise skilled care facility has died due to COVID-19 related illness, according to Central District Health. The woman was in her 60s with underlying health conditions. (Note, CDH previously reported the woman was in her 80s). The woman was a resident of Avamere Transitional Care and Rehab. According to CDH, 14 additional staff members and residents have either tested positive for COVID-19 or are probable cases. Any other residents or staff associated with this care center who develop symptoms will be counted as probable cases, officials said. To date, seven Ada County residents confirmed to have COVID-19 and two with probable COVID-19 have died. See a county-by-county case breakdown and other interactive graphs in our map and timeline.
2:33 p.m. -- Nampa City Council will hold special meeting Wed., April 15
Mayor Debbie Kling and city council members plan to discuss the next steps related to the city's current state of emergency and Nampa-specific restrictions pending modification to Gov. Little’s ‘stay-home’ order.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. The full agenda can be viewed here.
2:16 p.m. - Gov. Little: Idaho has enough PPE supply right now
Gov. Brad Little on Tuesday morning visited the staging area in Boise where the state is accepting and distributing thousands of medical supplies provided by private donors, the federal government, and other sources.
According to the governor's office, right now, there are enough supplies in stock to meet the projected demand for another two weeks based on mitigation strategies currently in place. Idaho can secure additional resources as needed. Here's a look at what's left in Idaho's stockpile.
1:31 p.m. -- Boise Salvation Army offers free emergency childcare for emergency responders and healthcare workers
The Salvation Army in Boise is offering free temporary childcare for the school-aged children of first responders and healthcare workers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Because many parents of infants and toddlers also need childcare, the Salvation Army has partnered with New Horizons Academy to provide care for those ages at a reduced cost.
The childcare will be available Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. for kids in kindergarten through 6th grade, and from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for infants and pre-K children. All meals will be provided.
"The Salvation Army stands ready to do its part in support of our dedicated first responders and health care workers", said Major Michael Halverson.
12:50 p.m. -- Gov. Brad Little: "We have flattened the curve, but we haven't brought it down."
In a telephonic town hall hosted by the AARP, the governor indicated that a new executive order to be announced at 11 a.m. Wednesday will include "metrics" regarding what the state needs to see before stay-at-home and social distancing directives are eased. He did not indicate any plans to ease or lift a statewide stay-at-home order when the current order expires just before midnight Wednesday.
Volunteers from the Eagle Christian Church have given away more than 1,000 homemade protective masks to healthcare workers and businesses. The masks have been distributed around the Treasure Valley and to other states to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
In case you missed it: A Nampa woman shared her story after she was the first person to recover from coronavirus at St. Luke's Nampa. She was on a ventilator for two weeks.
At KTVB, we’re focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the virus. To see our full coverage, visit our coronavirus section, here: www.ktvb.com/coronavirus.
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