Adams County moved to health alert level yellow
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Adams County moved to health alert level yellow
CALDWELL, IDAHO – Daily incidence rates continue to increase across the majority of the district. Based on data available for November 8, 2020 – November 21, 2020, Adams County has moved to the yellow health alert level. The remaining counties remain at the red health alert level. The information used in determining county health alert levels is listed below.
ADAMS COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Yellow
Adams County move to the yellow health alert level, with an incidence rate of 1.35 daily new cases per 10,000 people which is decreasing . Many of these new cases can be traced to one cluster of COVID-19 cases. 100% of individuals who have contracted COVID-19 and were interviewed by SWDH epidemiologists can determine where they were exposed to the virus, which does not meet the definition of community transmission. There is no evidence of COVID-19 cases or cluster outbreaks in any Adams County schools.
CANYON COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Red
Canyon County will remain in the red health alert level due to an increasing COVID-19 daily incidence rate and an increasing positivity rate. Canyon County has a daily incidence rate of 7.42 daily new cases per 10,000 people which is trending up. Only 69.16% of COVID-19 cases have reported knowing where they were exposed, which points to sustained community spread. SWDH investigators are continuing to see cases exposed through social and community gatherings as well as in workplaces and households. Additionally, the test positivity rate in Canyon County has continued to increase to 19.48% which is concerning SWDH epidemiologists. Fifteen congregate living facilities are seeing cluster outbreaks. Some healthcare facilities in Canyon County are nearing capacity for inpatient and ICU beds and have concerns about critical care staffing. Some facilities are postponing elective surgeries to conserve resources. Additionally, multiple schools in Canyon County are reporting an outbreak or transmission within the school.
GEM COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Red
Gem County will remain in the red health alert level, due to an increasing incidence rate and increasing positivity rate. Gem County has a daily incidence rate of 9.03 daily cases per 10,000 people and a test positivity rate of 21.27%. Three congregate care facilities in Gem County are facing a sustained COVID-19 outbreak. 85.71% of new cases that were contacted knew where they were exposed to COVID-19, which is trending in the right direction but still points to some community transmission. Additionally, local healthcare providers are concerned with staffing shortages and hospital capacity. Multiple schools in Gem County are reporting sporadic, imported cases of COVID-19 with one school experiencing a cluster outbreak.
OWYHEE COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Red
Owyhee County remain in the red health alert level, due to an increasing COVID-19 daily incidence rate, very high positivity rate, and evidence of community spread. Owyhee County currently has a daily incidence rate of 8.22 daily cases per 10,000 people, which continues to increase dramatically. Only 73.53% of cases can identify an exposure source, which is trending up but still points to community spread. Additionally, the test positivity rate is 28.94% which shows that COVID-19 is more prevalent in the community than our data shows. SWDH epidemiologists are seeing cluster outbreaks primarily from social and community gatherings. There were multiple sporadic, imported cases of COVID-19 within Owyhee County schools during the two-week date range with no evidence of transmission within schools.
PAYETTE COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Red
Payette County will remain in the red health alert level, due to an increasing COVID-19 daily incidence rate, as well as a high positivity rate. Payette County has a daily incidence rate of 6.86 daily new cases per 10,000 people which is increasing. Only 67.65% of confirmed cases know where they were exposed to COVID-19, which points to sustained community spread. SWDH epidemiologists are concerned by cluster outbreaks within local workplace settings, including Idaho and Oregon workplaces. Payette County has a test positivity rate of 21.96%, which is very high and shows that COVID-19 is more prevalent in the community than our data shows. Many Payette County schools are seeing sporadic, imported cases of COVID-19 with one school reporting a cluster outbreak.
WASHINGTON COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Red
Washington County will remain in the red health alert level, due to an increasing daily incidence rate and positivity rate. Washington County currently has a daily incidence rate of 9.14 daily cases per 10,000 people, which is increasing. The positivity rate for Washington County is 27.39%, which is continuing to increase. 68.18% of confirmed cases know where they were exposed to COVID-19, which is decreasing and points to sustained community spread. SWDH epidemiologists are seeing transmission occurring from social gatherings and spread throughout households. Multiple Washington County schools are seeing sporadic, imported cases of COVID-19 with no transmission occurring within the schools.
WEEKLY CASES BY SCHOOL DISTRICT
The following table represents data on confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases among students and staff where investigations began between November 15, 2020 and November 21, 2020.
The following table represents data on the number of staff and students currently in quarantine and isolation on the day the data are pulled and may not account for individuals who have been released from quarantine or are just entering quarantine.
Those in quarantine have been identified as a close contact of a positive case and are being asked to stay home for 14 days to monitor for symptoms. Those in isolation are currently positive for COVID-19 and are asked to isolate away from others for a minimum of ten days from the onset of symptoms to prevent further spread of the infection.
Region 3 data are available on the Southwest District Health website at: https://swdh.id.gov/covid19/. Please visit https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/ for statewide information. Questions may be directed to the SWDH COVID-19 Call Center Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 208-455-5411.
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Media Contacts:
Ashley Anderson Ashley.Anderson@phd3.idaho.gov
Katrina Williams Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov