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Idaho coronavirus updates: July 4 - July 7

Follow along as we track the latest daily COVID-19 news from July 4 - 7.

BOISE, Idaho — For the latest Idaho coronavirus updates, click here.  

Editor's note: The number of recovered COVID-19 patients dropped from 4,393 to 2,801 on July 2. An error in auto-calculation was discovered by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare on July 1.

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. 

RELATED: These Idaho cities are requiring masks to be worn in public

Click here for previous daily updates.

Tuesday, July 7

10:45 p.m. - In case you missed it:

8:15 p.m. - Caldwell Night Rodeo canceled

A longtime summer staple of the Treasure Valley will not go on as planned this summer. The Caldwell Night Rodeo announced Tuesday night that the 96th annual rodeo planned for August has been canceled.

"This decision has been one of the most challenging ever faced by CNR," officials wrote in a Facebook post. "Every possible avenue to safely and responsibly hold our rodeo was explored. We consulted extensively with Idaho State and local government officials, the local health districts, and numerous other professional rodeos around the Northwest for assistance in creating an exhaustive safety and disinfection plan to mitigate the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

"Ultimately, it was determined that CNR could not live up to our values, nor endanger the health of our community by holding our traditional event, where social distancing cannot be practiced effectively," the post continued.

Rodeo officials expressed optimism about future events and said they are looking forward to bringing the rodeo back in 2021.

5:58 p.m. - Idaho hits new single-day high in new COVID-19 cases

The state and local health districts are reporting 439 new confirmed and probable coronavirus cases statewide on Tuesday, a new single-day high for Idaho.

Of the new cases, nearly half - 195 - were in Ada County, which continues to be the state's hot spot. Canyon County had 81 new cases and Twin Falls County had 34. The statewide total for cases since the pandemic began now stands at 8,539 confirmed and probable cases.

No new deaths were reported on Tuesday, and the death toll stands at 94. The state reported that 2,932 people have recovered from the virus.

A longterm look at Idaho's case numbers shows the dramatic uptick in cases over the last few weeks. 

Credit: KTVB

A closer look at the last two weeks:

Credit: KTVB

For a deeper look at coronavirus numbers, including breakdowns and trends by county, check out our Idaho coronavirus map and timelines.


3:00 - Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic launches in September

The 30th annual Spirit of Boise Balloon Classic returns Sept. 2-6, 2020. Organizers made the announcement in a Facebook post on Tuesday.

2:00 p.m. - Idaho to release statewide plan for public education, sports at noon on Thursday, July 9

Gov. Brad Little will host a press conference regarding Idaho's K-12 Reopening Plan and Stage 4 of Idaho Rebounds at 12 p.m., Thursday, July 9, in the Lincoln Auditorium at the Idaho Capitol. 

KTVB will carry the press conference live on Channel 7 and stream it live on KTVB.COM.

During an AARP telephone town hall meeting Tuesday, the governor was asked if there is going to be high school sports, including club sports, in Idaho this fall.

Little responded by saying a big announcement is coming this Thursday at noon. The governor, along with the Idaho State Board of Education and Superintendent of Public Instruction, will release specifics of a statewide plan.

1:15 p.m. - Two summer school students in Twin Falls test positive for COVID-19

The Twin Falls School District and South Central Public Health District have confirmed that two students who attended summer school at two different locations are confirmed to have COVID-19.

Both students are part of the same household. One went to summer school at South Hills Middle School, while the other attended classes at Canyon Ridge High School on the A-Day schedule.

The district was notified on June 24 and immediately initiated protocols that were developed in partnership with the health district before summer school started. This included communicating with all summer school families about their children's potential levels of exposure. 

Officials say most children in summer school have had minimal or no exposure.

Families with children who have had moderate or high exposure to the students with the confirmed cases were contacted by phone and email.


11:10 - City of Ketchum requiring masks to be worn in public spaces

The Ketchum City Council has approved an emergency health order requiring that face masks be worn in public spaces. The mandate is legally enforceable and violators could face a $100 penalty.

This order comes as Idaho is experiencing a large surge in new COVID-19 cases.

Masks must cover the nose and mouth. Public places include retail businesses, government offices, medical facilities, educational, arts and recreational institutions, public transportation, including taxi cabs and ridesharing vehicles.

There are some exemptions, which include children under the age of 5, persons who cannot medically tolerate wearing a face covering, persons who are hearing impaired, or communicating with a person who is hearing impaired, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication; on-duty law-enforcement officers, persons eating or drinking at a restaurant, and outdoor public places where people can employ social distancing.

Any person who violates any provision of this order shall be guilty of an infraction, punishable by a fine of $100. The order takes effect on July 7.

RELATED: These Idaho cities are requiring masks to be worn in public


11:00 a.m. -- Payette County inmate tests positive for COVID-19

The Payette County Sheriff's Office says an inmate tested positive on Monday for COVID-19. The inmate began showing symptoms and was transported to a local hospital. The inmate has been in custody at the Payette County Jail since Feb. 26, 2020. It is not known how the inmate contracted the virus.

The positive inmate has been placed in a single cell. Jail deputies are monitoring all inmates and staff that have had direct contact with the inmate.

Payette County has implemented recommendations provided by Southwest District Health. The recommendations include screening, monitoring, testing, and sanitizing. 

10:30 a.m. -- Governor Little hosts AARP telephone town hall at noon

Gov. Brad Little will provide updated information and answer questions regarding COVID-19 in Idaho. The hour-long conversation begins at 12 p.m. Participants can join by dialing toll-free 866-767-0637 or register in advance by visiting https://vekeo.com/aarpidaho/.

6:57 a.m. - Discovery Center in Boise reopening

The Discovery Center of Idaho will reopen to the public July 7. The center will display many of its popular exhibits including dinosaurs and King Tut.

But visitors should expect some changes. The Discovery Center will have timed entries, a limit on capacity, and new operating hours.

Galleries will have a specific route to help with social distancing. Visitors will also be required to wear masks. 

For more information, click here.

Monday, July 6

Update: Central District Health will be holding a board meeting on Tuesday. CDH said there is a possibility that Ada County will be moved back into Stage 2 of the Rebound Idaho plan.

Gov. Little will also be holding a press conference at the Statehouse on Thursday and will be addressing a reopening plan for K-12.

9:41 p.m. - In case you missed it:

5:24 p.m.- Idaho tops 350 cases for fourth consecutive day

The state and local health districts are reporting 378 new cases on Monday, the fourth consecutive day with more than 350 cases. That brings the statewide total of confirmed COVID-19 cases to 7,556.

Ada County added 190 new cases - about half of the statewide total, as Idaho's most populous county continues to be the state's hot spot. Canyon County had the second-most cases on Monday, adding 46, while Kootenai County added 19.

Washington County has confirmed one new death, bring the statewide death toll to 94.

50 people are currently hospitalized with 19 in the ICU.

Credit: KTVB

1:22 p.m.- Donnelly Huckleberry Festival canceled due to COVID-19

The Donnelly Area Chamber of Commerce announced on Monday that this year's annual Huckleberry Festival has been canceled.

Officials stated that it "would be almost impossible to follow Central District Health’s protocols for a festival that typically sees 8,000 to 10,000 people visiting Donnelly in a single weekend."

It is with heavy hearts that The Donnelly Area Chamber of Commerce h... as decided to cancel this year's Huckleberry Festival. We want to thank all of you who participated in meetings and/or shared your input concerning the 2020 Huckleberry Festival.

Sunday, July 5

5:20 p.m. - Idaho adds 362 confirmed cases, second-highest single-day total

Idaho added 362 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Sunday, the second-highest number of confirmed cases in a single day, only behind July 4's 396 confirmed cases, according to data provided by Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and public health districts.

No new deaths were reported and less than 30 new recoveries were reported, bringing the statewide total to 2,886.

Idaho's 14-day average of new cases set a new record, with an average of 262.9286 confirmed cases reported for the last two weeks.

Data on the number of tests for the last week have not been reported yet by the state, but the percentage of tests that were positive was record high of 9.0% for the week of June 21 through June 27.

In case you missed it:

Saturday, July 4

6:08 p.m. - Idaho adds a record 396 confirmed cases on Saturday

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and health districts across Idaho reported a record-breaking 396 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Gem State. Both Ada and Canyon counties reported over 100 new cases on the Fourth of July. The 14-day average for new cases per day is now at 242.3077, a new record.

No new deaths reported, but Health and Welfare retracted two probable cases of the coronavirus, which still leaves the state with a total of 7,370.

Recoveries improved slightly with a new total of 2,858 recoveries.

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. 

Facts not fear: More on coronavirus

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