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Idaho coronavirus latest: August 1-8

Follow along as we track the latest live coronavirus updates from August 1-8.

BOISE, Idaho — For the most recent Idaho coronavirus updates, click here.

We're closely tracking Idaho's number of deaths and cases of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, as well as what's happening as Idaho reopens. Scroll down to see our live updates from each day. 

We have multiple graphs and timelines looking at the coronavirus case trends in Idaho, including a new graph showing a 14-day average that the State of Idaho has been tracking to determine the appropriate reopening stage.

How we track COVID-19 cases:

Every day, KTVB works diligently to ensure we are providing the most accurate, up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 cases in Idaho. We track our numbers the same way the Idaho Dept. of Health and Welfare does. However, we update our total number more frequently, meaning our numbers may not always match with the state.

The state updates the number of total cases every day around 5 p.m. KTVB updates our running total once the state and local health districts have confirmed their total number of cases.

Regional health districts release updated numbers at different times than the state Department of Health and Welfare, which can sometimes cause a discrepancy in the number reported. We use the latest information reported by the state and the health districts to keep the total as updated as possible.

Some of those numbers local districts release might change if a positive case is determined to be an out of state resident - they will be added to another state's total number of cases instead of Idaho.

It is important to note the difference between "confirmed" and "probable". Confirmed cases refer to a person who was tested for COVID-19 and tested positive. Probable cases refer to a person who is exhibiting symptoms after coming in contact with a person who has a confirmed case. Though a probable case is not confirmed, the state will monitor the person for symptoms.

"Total cases" refers to the number of confirmed and probable cases combined. We will always clarify how many of the total cases are confirmed and how many are probable in our daily updates.

Click here for previous daily updates.

Saturday, August 8

5:48 p.m. - Idaho passes 23,000 confirmed cases, 4 new deaths in Ada County

The Gem State's health department reported 523 new confirmed and 28 new probable cases of the coronavirus in the state. Idaho's total number of COVID-19 cases is now 24,495, with 23,010 confirmed cases.

Idaho reported five new deaths, four were in Ada County and one in Kootenai County, bringing the state's death toll to 235.

Recoveries continued to climb, with 8,921 cases to have presumed to have recovered, since the pandemic began.

Friday, August 7

5:13 p.m.- Idaho nears 24,000 confirmed and probable cases; three new deaths confirmed

Idaho reported 501 new confirmed COVID-19 cases on Friday, bringing the statewide total to 22,487. 31 new probable cases were confirmed today, bringing the total of confirmed and probable cases to 23,922.

8,738 recoveries were also recorded Friday.

Credit: KTVB

Canyon County has surpassed Ada County as the state's hotspot, adding 160 new cases on Friday. Ada County added 135.

Three new deaths were reported on Friday, bringing the statewide total to 230. One death occurred in Ada County and two occurred in Canyon County.

Credit: KTVB

The latest hospitalization data from August 5 showed a decline from 242 to 201 hospitalizations. 48 are currently in the ICU.

Thursday, August 6

8:27 p.m. - In case you missed it:

5:20 p.m. - State sets new record for daily confirmed cases; 9 new deaths reported

Idaho has set a new record for the number of daily new confirmed cases of COVID-19. According to the state and local health districts, there were 719 new confirmed cases and 44 new probable cases reported on Thursday. The previous high for new confirmed cases was 688 on July 16.

The statewide total for confirmed cases since the beginning of the pandemic now stands at 21,986. The total, when combined with probable cases, is 23,399.

Of the new cases reported on Thursday, Canyon County had the most with 242. Ada County had 138, while Bonneville County had 51. See a county-by-county breakdown of total cases and trends.

Also on Thursday, nine additional deaths were announced, bringing the statewide death toll due to the coronavirus pandemic to 227. Four of the deaths occurred in Ada County, three were in Canyon County, and Bonneville and Kootenai counties each had one.

The state has also released new testing data that is current as of last week. According to the data, Idaho's positivity rate dropped from 13.8% to 11.7%. The number of COVID-19 tests performed also dropped - from 20,951 two weeks ago to 17,446 last week.

The state estimates that 8,486 people have recovered from the virus.

Credit: KTVB
Credit: KTVB

Wednesday, August 5

7:37 p.m. -  First coronavirus-related deaths confirmed in Gem, Owhyee counties

Southwest District Health on Wednesday confirmed the first deaths related to COVID-19 in Gem and Owyhee counties. According to the health district, the death in Gem County was a woman in her 80s who had "underlying health complications." The death in Owyhee County was a man in his 80s who had been hospitalized. Officials did not say if he had any underlying health issues. 

As of Wednesday, the six-county region served by SWDH has seen a total of 51 deaths. Statewide, 219 people have died from COVID-19-related illnesses.

5:47 p.m. - New daily high in number of COVID-19 hospitalizations

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is reporting a new high in the number of people hospitalized statewide with COVID-19. As of Monday, 242 people were hospitalized, and 42 of them were in the ICU. The previous high for coronavirus hospitalizations was 239 on July 29. 

Also on Wednesday, the state reported 409 new confirmed cases and 72 probable cases. Of those, 128 cases were in Ada County and 68 were in Canyon County. The statewide total of confirmed and probable cases since the pandemic began now stands at 22,707.

Five additional deaths were confirmed - two in Ada County, one in Canyon County, one in Gem County and one in Owyhee County. The deaths in Gem and Owyhee counties were their first related to COVID-19.

8,207 people in the state have now recovered from the virus, according to the state.

Credit: KTVB
Credit: KTVB

For a closer look at Idaho's coronavirus numbers, including breakdowns by county, check out our interactive map and timelines.

5:27 p.m. - Ada County Jail announces COVID-19 outbreak

Last week, the Ada County Jail had five confirmed cases of COVID-19. Now, according to jail officials, they have 68.

The first positive test at the jail came back last week after an inmate complained about a loss of taste and smell on July 28. That inmate was moved to the jail's Health Services Unit and movement within the jail was restricted.

More than 200 inmates in multiple dorms where initial tests came back positive have been tested.

Several inmates are being quarantined in the Health Services Unit while staff work to isolate infected inmates in dorms where the outbreak occurred.

All inmates have been issued face masks, which they are supposed to wear at all times unless they are in their bunks.

All employees who have worked in those dorms over the last two weeks have consulted with the ACSO's medical provider or their private physician on if they should be tested. All staff members also undergo COVID-19 health screenings before they go into the jail.

As of August 5, six jail employees have tested positive for the virus. Four have since recovered and returned to work.

5:02 p.m. - Village Cinema to reopen on August 21

After a months-long closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Village Cinema at the Village at Meridian will be reopening later this month.

The movie theater announced on Wednesday that it will reopen on August 21 with enhanced cleaning and sanitizing protocols in place.

In addition to some new releases, the theater will be showing some fan-favorites from the last few decades, including "The Empire Strikes Back," "Inside Out," "Black Panther," "Back to the Future," "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Ghostbusters," "Trolls World Tour," "IT" and "Goonies."

Here are the upcoming new releases and their scheduled release dates:

  • "Unhinged" - August 21
  • "Antebellum" - August 21
  • "The New Mutants" - August 28
  • "Bill & Ted Face the Music" - September 1
  • "Tenet" - September 3
  • "The King's Man" - September 18
  • "Wonder Woman 1984" - Oct. 2 
  • "Black Widow" - Nov. 6
  • "No Time to Die" - Nov. 20
  • "Soul" - Nov. 20
  • "Free Guy" - Dec. 11 
  • "West Side Story" - Dec. 18 

12:45 p.m. - Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic canceled for 2020

Organizers of the event posted this notice of cancellation on their Facebook page Wednesday. They look forward to a new year and seeing everyone in 2021.

We cannot thank you enough for your support and hope to see you all in 2021!

Tuesday, August 4

5:19 p.m. - State reports 563 new cases, 12 additional deaths 

Idaho has added 563 new cases of COVID-19 - 499 confirmed and 64 probable - on Tuesday, bring the statewide total to 22,234 confirmed and probable cases. 

Of the new cases, 186 were in Ada County and 124 were in Canyon County. The increase in cases comes after several days of case totals under 400 statewide (see graphs below).

Data from the state and local health districts also show an additional 12 deaths reported on Tuesday. Five of the deaths were in Canyon County and four were in Ada County. Kootenai, Owyhee and Washington counties each reported one death. 

The total number of deaths statewide related to COVID-19 infections now stands at 214. Idaho now gone 9 days in a row with at least one death reported statewide. 

As of Sunday, 195 people were hospitalized with COVID-19 and 39 were in the ICU, according to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.

Credit: KTVB
Credit: KTVB
Credit: KTVB

For a closer look at Idaho's coronavirus numbers, including breakdowns by county, check out our interactive map and timelines.

2:44 p.m. - Idaho State Veterans Home reports first COVID-19-related death

The Idaho State Veterans Home in Boise has reported its first death related to COVID-19. 

The Idaho Division of Veterans Services (IDVS) said in a news release on Tuesday that the resident of the home who died also had multiple underlying health issues, which made them more vulnerable to the coronavirus.

"Our hearts are extremely heavy as we mourn the passing of this Veteran, who served our nation with honor and dignity during its hour of need," IDVS said in a statement. "This Veteran was a beloved member of the ISVH-Boise community and will be dearly missed."

Officials have not identified the veteran who died or released any more information about that person's death.

According to IDVS, the Veterans Home confirmed its first cases of COVID-19 about a month ago, but has not had any new cases since the initial outbreak, which consisted of two residents and three staff members. 

"With the spike in cases in Ada County in the past month, we have been fortunate that this virus has not spread more widely within our facility," said IDVA Chief Administrator Marv Hagedorn. "That is directly a result of the exceptional work of our ISVH-Boise team. They have worked tremendously hard to care for and protect our residents during these trying times."

Access to the Veteran's Home remains limited to team members and essential vendors only. Anyone entering the building is required to undergo a screening.

Monday, August 3

5:13 p.m.- Idaho 259 new confirmed cases; 4 deaths reported in Ada County

Idaho is reporting 259 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday, and an additional 26 new probable cases, bringing the total since the pandemic began to 20,359 confirmed cases of COVID-19. When combined with probable cases, the total is 21,675.

Also on Monday, five new deaths were also, four of which were in Ada County. The fifth was in Twin Falls.

Despite adding four new deaths, Ada County only added 23 new confirmed cases, while Canyon County added 84.

No new hospitalizations or testing were reported today. 7,617 people have recovered.

Credit: KTVB
Credit: KTVB

Sunday, August 2

5:18 p.m. - Idaho reports 218 confirmed cases on Sunday, lowest single-day total since June 28

The Gem State reported 218 confirmed and 12 probable cases of the coronavirus on Sunday, pushing the statewide total number of cases past 20,000. The total number of confirmed cases is 20,100 and Idaho reports there are 21,344 confirmed and probable cases in Idaho since the pandemic began.

The 218 confirmed cases is the lowest single-day total since June 28, when 206 confirmed cases were reported.

One new death was reported in Shoshone County, bringing the state's death toll from COVID-19 to 197. On July 1, there were only 92 coronavirus-related deaths in the state.

Currently, there are 54 people in the ICU due to COVID-19 and 239 people hospitalized by it.

The state reported 1,026 new tests were tallied on Sunday.

Saturday, August 1

5:31 p.m. - Idaho adds over 350 cases, inches closer to 20,000 confirmed cases

The Department of Health and Welfare reported 379 confirmed cases and seven probable cases on Saturday, bringing the statewide total number of cases to 21,114. Out of that, 19,882 cases are confirmed.

Since the pandemic began, 856 people have been hospitalized, with 250 cases being sent to the ICU.

Three new deaths were reported in Kootenai County, bringing the statewide death toll from the pandemic to 196 people.

Recoveries increased again, with 7,146 cases being presumed to have recovered.

The state and private labs have tested 183,034 people for COVID-19. With 19,882 confirmed cases in the state, the positivity rate for testing since the pandemic began is 10.9%.

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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