FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COVID-19 Community Transmission Detected in Owyhee County

OWYHEE COUNTY, IDAHO – Southwest District Health (SWDH) has confirmed detection of community transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 in Owyhee County. Community transmission, or community spread, is when public health professionals cannot specify an origin for an infection, such as tracing it to specific travel or contact with a specific individual.

The first Owyhee County COVID-19 case was announced on March 29, 2020. Currently, Owyhee County has eight (8) confirmed COVID-19 cases. Community spread has also been announced in Ada, Bingham, Bonneville, Blaine, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Lemhi, Madison, Payette, Teton, and Twin Falls counties.

This means it is more important than ever for people to be aware the virus that causes COVID-19 is already circulating in these communities and to take the recommended precautions. Residents are encouraged to continue to wear cloth face coverings when leaving their home, follow social distancing guidelines, and practice good hand washing etiquette to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Community members showing symptoms of mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should call first before going to their medical provider’s office.

Residents who have questions may call the Southwest District Health COVID-19 call center at (208) 455-5411 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Residents may also call the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-330-3010 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for questions regarding essential businesses, mental health, childcare, and small business loans.

COVID-19 case counts for the six-county region SWDH serves are available at https://swdh.id.gov/coronavirus  and will be updated by 7 p.m. on weekdays unless otherwise noted. For Idaho information and guidance, please visit https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/

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Media Contact:
Katrina Williams
Southwest District Health
Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov
(208) 455-5317 or (208) 899-1268

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Residents urged to stay close to home for recreational activities

CALDWELL, IDAHO –  Public health officials are encouraging residents to choose recreational activities close to their homes to best protect themselves and those around them from the spread of COVID-19. “Our region offers many recreational opportunities for residents to get outside, enjoy the warm weather, and cure cabin fever. Choosing recreational opportunities that are close to home while the statewide Stay-Home Order is in place helps prevent overcrowding of recreational destinations and ensures these areas remain open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, ” said SWDH District Director Nikki Zogg. “Staying close to home also helps our counties protect their residents’ health and safety. A large influx of visitors to one area diverts valuable first responder and essential staff resources from the current goal of slowing the spread of COVID-19 in our communities,” said Zogg.

Recreate Responsibly Idaho, a new statewide campaign, offers guidelines for Idahoans who want to recreate outdoors. Information on this campaign can be found at:  https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/recreate-responsibly/.

Guidelines for responsible recreation include:

• Choosing recreational activities close to home
• Practicing social distancing and keeping six feet away from those not in your household
• Staying home if you’re sick to avoid putting others at risk
• Checking for current information on accessibility at https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/recreate-responsibly. Most government campgrounds and many boat ramps are closed
• Avoiding overcrowded trailheads or boat launches
• Bringing your own supplies
• Being prepared to pack out your own trash

Zogg urges residents to remain dedicated to slowing the spread of COVID-19. “I am so proud of our communities’ commitment to playing their part,” she said.

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Media Contact:
Katrina Williams
Southwest District Health
Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov
(208) 455-5317 or (208) 899-1268

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COVID-19 Related Death Confirmed in Payette County

PAYETTE COUNTY – Southwest District Health (SWDH) has confirmed the first death associated with COVID-19 in Payette County. The individual was a male in his 50s hospitalized with underlying health complications. Other specific information about this individual will not be released. “Our thoughts and sympathies are with this individual’s family and friends,” said Nikki Zogg, District Director for Southwest District Health.

This death was first reported last week on websites for the State of Idaho and SWDH. Later, the epidemiological investigation showed the cause of death had not yet been confirmed and the death was removed from both websites. Following the receipt of confirmation of COVID-19 as a contributing factor, this death was added back into the data reported and was updated to the State’s website https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/ this weekend. Case counts for SWDH’s region are available at https://swdh.id.gov/coronavirus  and will be updated by 7 p.m. on weekdays unless otherwise noted.

To date, SWDH has reported five other COVID-19 deaths in its six-county region including:

• A male in his 80s from Canyon County; hospitalized with underlying medical conditions
• A male in his 70s from Canyon County; hospitalized with underlying medical conditions
• A female in her 80s from Canyon County; hospitalized with underlying medical conditions but discharged to home on hospice
• A male in his 80s from Canyon County; hospitalized; underlying medical conditions unknown
• A male in his 70s from Canyon County; hospitalized with underlying medical conditions

Residents who have questions may call the Southwest District Health COVID-19 call center at (208) 455-5411 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Residents may also call the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare toll-free hotline at 1-888-330-3010. The hotline will be staffed Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for questions regarding essential businesses, unemployment and food stamps, mental health, childcare, and small business loans.

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Media Contact:
Katrina Williams
Southwest District Health
Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov
(208) 455-5317 or (208) 899-1268

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COVID-19 Community Transmission Detected in Payette County

PAYETTE COUNTY, IDAHO – Southwest District Health (SWDH) has confirmed detection of community transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 in Payette County. Community transmission, or community spread, is when public health professionals cannot specify an origin for an infection, such as tracing it to specific travel or contact with a specific individual.  The first Payette County COVID-19 case was announced on March 24, 2020.

Community spread has also been announced in counties including Ada, Bingham, Blaine, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Kootenai, and Madison. “It is important for Idahoans to know the risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19 is increasing in our communities. Please do your part to help slow the spread of the virus. Please stay home if at all possible,” said Nikki Zogg, Southwest District Health District Director.

Zogg urges residents to follow the guidelines outlined in the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Stay-Home Order issued Wednesday, March 25, 2020.

Those guidelines include:

• Keep six feet between yourself and anyone outside your household at all times.
• Engage in work, schooling, and social interaction from home via technology.
• Avoid interacting with anyone outside your household unless you can keep at least six feet of space between you.
• Use drive-thru, pickup or delivery options as much as possible when getting food.
• Avoid all non-essential travel.
• Reschedule all social activities to take place via phone, video chats, or social media.

Community members showing symptoms of mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should call first before going to their medical provider’s office.

Residents who have questions may call the Southwest District Health COVID-19 call center at (208) 455-5411 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Residents may also call the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-330-3010 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for questions regarding essential businesses, unemployment and food stamps, mental health, childcare, and small business loans.

COVID-19 case counts for the six-county region SWDH serves are available at https://swdh.id.gov/coronavirus  and will be updated by 7 p.m. on weekdays unless otherwise noted. For Idaho information and guidance, please visit https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/

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Media Contact:
Katrina Williams
Southwest District Health
Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov
(208) 455-5317 or (208) 899-1268

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

First Washington County COVID-19 Case Confirmed

Southwest District Health (SWDH) has confirmed the first COVID-19 case in Washington County in a female in her 70s. The individual is recovering at home. The source of transmission is under investigation.  Additional case-specific information about this individual is confidential and will not be released.

Southwest District Health staff will continue their contact investigation. If other people are found to have been possibly exposed, they will be contacted, provided guidance, and monitored for symptoms.

Washington County officials ask all citizens to please stay home and stay safe, and follow the recommendations of the CDC, Governor Little and SWDH officials.

“As part of our investigative process, we work to identify and notify contacts of confirmed cases in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. We need everyone in our community doing their part to help us by following the Stay-Home Order issued by Idaho Department of Health and Welfare,” said SWDH District Director Nikki Zogg.  “Staying home and isolating yourself from others helps minimize the spread of communicable diseases like COVID-19,” Zogg added.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Stay-Home Order issued Wednesday, March 25, 2020, directs Idahoans to stay and work from home as much as possible.

The directives from the Stay-Home Order include:

• Keep six feet between yourself and everyone else at all times.
• Engage in work, schooling, and social interaction from home via technology.
• Avoid interacting with anyone outside your household unless you can keep at least six feet of space between you.
• Use drive-thru, pickup, or delivery options as much as possible when getting food.
• Avoid all non-essential travel.
• Reschedule all social activities to take place via phone, video chats, or social media.

Questions about COVID-19 can be directed to the SWDH COVID-19 call center at (208) 455-5411 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Case counts for the six counties SWDH serves are updated weekdays by 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted on the SWDH website, https://swdh.id.gov/coronavirus. For Idaho COVID-19 information, please visit https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/.

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Media Contact:
Katrina Williams
Southwest District Health
Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov
(208) 455-5317 or (208) 899-1268

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COVID-19 Community Transmission Detected in Gem County

GEM COUNTY, IDAHO – Southwest District Health (SWDH) has confirmed detection of community transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19 in Gem County. Community transmission, or community spread, is when public health professionals cannot specify an origin for an infection, such as tracing it to specific travel or contact with a specific individual.  The first Gem County COVID-19 case was announced on March 27, 2020.

Community spread has also been announced in Ada, Bingham, Blaine, Canyon, Kootenai, and Madison counties. “It is important for Idahoans to know the risk of exposure to the virus that causes COVID-19 is increasing in our communities. Please do your part to help slow the spread of the virus. Please stay home if at all possible,” said Nikki Zogg, Southwest District Health District Director.

Zogg urges residents to follow the guidelines outlined in the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Stay-Home Order issued Wednesday, March 25, 2020.

Those guidelines include:

• Keep six feet between yourself and anyone outside your household at all times.
• Engage in work, schooling, and social interaction from home via technology.
• Avoid interacting with anyone outside your household unless you can keep at least six feet of space between you.
• Use drive-thru, pickup or delivery options as much as possible when getting food.
• Avoid all non-essential travel.
• Reschedule all social activities to take place via phone, video chats, or social media.

Community members showing symptoms of mild to severe respiratory illness with fever, cough, and difficulty breathing should call first before going to their medical provider’s office.

Residents who have questions may call the Southwest District Health COVID-19 call center at (208) 455-5411 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  Residents may also call the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s COVID-19 hotline at 1-888-330-3010 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for questions regarding essential businesses, unemployment and food stamps, mental health, childcare, and small business loans.

COVID-19 case counts for the six-county region SWDH serves are available at https://swdh.id.gov/coronavirus  and will be updated by 7 p.m. on weekdays unless otherwise noted. For Idaho information and guidance, please visit https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/

# # #

Media Contact:
Katrina Williams
Southwest District Health
Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov
(208) 455-5317 or (208) 899-1268