Counties Continue Declining Daily Incidence Rates; UK Coronavirus Confirmed Within Southwest District Health’s Jurisdiction
March 4, 2021 News Release Comments Off on Counties Continue Declining Daily Incidence Rates; UK Coronavirus Confirmed Within Southwest District Health’s Jurisdiction

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Counties Continue Declining Daily Incidence Rates; UK Coronavirus Variant Confirmed Within Southwest District Health’s Jurisdiction

CALDWELL, IDAHO – Southwest District Health (SWDH) continues to see declining daily incidence rates and decreasing positivity rates. This is based on data available for the date range February 14, 2021 – February 27, 2021. Adams, Gem, Payette, and Washington counties are at the gray COVID-19 health alert level this week. Canyon County and Owyhee County are at the yellow health alert level this week. As of February 27, 2021, the daily district-wide incidence rate per 10,000 population is 1.10.

This week, SWDH has confirmed the presence of the United Kingdom (UK) Coronavirus (COVID-19) variant in its jurisdiction. Laboratory testing identified the B.1.1.7 variant of SARS-CoV-2, which was first discovered in the United Kingdom on Dec 14, 2020 but is estimated to have emerged in September of 2020.

Epidemiologists at Southwest District Health are working to identify any close contacts who were possibly exposed to this person. The individual has met CDC guidelines to leave isolation, which means they are no longer able to spread the disease to others.

The individual has been identified as a female, in her 70s, who has not travelled recently. Additional case-specific information about this individual is confidential and will not be released.

The information used in determining county health alert levels is provided below.

ADAMS COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Gray

Adams County will remain in the gray health alert level, with a low incidence rate and decreasing positivity rate. Adams County saw a daily COVID-19 incidence of 1.68 daily new cases per 10,000 people, which is increasing slightly.[1] Most of the new cases can be traced to household exposure. Evidence collected through investigations during the two-week period show a significant reduction in community transmission in Adams County, with 85.71% of cases able to identify a potential exposure source. Adams County has a test positivity rate of 2.94%, which meets our goal of 5.00% or less. No COVID-19 cases were reported in Adams County schools. SWDH epidemiologists are concerned by the number of new cases in Adams County, but due to the nature of these cases, we do not believe they pose a significant risk to Adams County residents.

CANYON COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Yellow

Canyon County will remain in the yellow health alert level due to a decreasing daily incidence rate and positivity rate. Canyon County has a daily incidence rate of 1.23 daily new cases per 10,000 people which is steadily decreasing. Canyon County has a positivity rate of 4.88%, which is also decreasing and meets our goal of 5.00% or less. Only 63.25% of COVID-19 cases have reported knowing where they were exposed, which points to sustained community spread. SWDH investigators are seeing cases exposed through social gatherings, travel, workplaces and households. Nine congregate living facilities are reporting cluster outbreaks.[2] Multiple schools in Canyon County are reporting cluster outbreaks, with transmission occurring within the schools.

GEM COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Gray

Gem County will move to the gray health alert level, due to a decreasing daily incidence rate and a low positivity rate. Gem County has a daily incidence rate of 0.75 daily cases per 10,000 people which is decreasing. The test positivity rate for Gem County is 5.10% which is increasing and just slightly above our goal of 5.00% or less. One congregate care facilities in Gem County is facing a sustained COVID-19 outbreak. 64.71% of new cases that were contacted knew where they were exposed to COVID-19, which increased significantly but still indicates community transmission. Of the individuals who could identify their exposure source, most were attributed to household members. One sporadic, imported case of COVID-19 was reported in a Gem County school, with no evidence of a cluster outbreak.

OWYHEE COUNTY –  Health Alert Level: Yellow

Owyhee County will remain in the yellow health alert level this week, due to a high test positivity rate and concerns of community transmission. Owyhee County currently has a daily incidence rate of 0.79 daily cases per 10,000 people, which is decreasing. The test positivity rate is 8.89% which is decreasing but still shows that COVID-19 is more prevalent in the community than our data show. 54.55% of cases can identify an exposure source, which is increasing and indicates sustained community transmission. SWDH epidemiologists are seeing cluster outbreaks in Owyhee County primarily from household and school exposure. Multiple schools in Owyhee County are reporting cases of COVID-19, with evidence of a cluster outbreak in one school.

PAYETTE COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Gray

Payette County will remain in the gray health alert level, with a decreasing positivity rate and incidence rate. Payette County has a daily incidence rate of 0.54 daily new cases per 10,000 people which is decreasing. Payette County has a test positivity rate of 2.21%, which is also decreasing and meets our goal of 5.00% or less. 66.67% of cases know where they were exposed to COVID-19, which is increasing but still indicates community transmission. SWDH epidemiologists are concerned by cluster outbreaks within local workplace settings, including Idaho and Oregon workplaces, as well as through household exposure. Multiple sporadic, imported cases of COVID-19 were reported in Payette County schools, with no evidence of a cluster outbreak.

WASHINGTON COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Gray

Washington County will remain in the gray health alert level, due to a decreasing daily incidence rate, and low positivity rate. There were only three cases of COVID-19 reported in Washington County during the two-week date range. In efforts to protect the privacy of these individuals, the Health Alert Level Dashboard will not include data relevant to Washington County. There are currently no cluster outbreaks in Washington County schools.

[1] The incidence rate measures how many cases occur each day, and standardizes this value by population. SWDH measures the daily incidence rate per 10,000 population using the following calculation: daily confirmed and probable cases are averaged over the two-week period. This value is divided by the county population, and then multiplied by 10,000 to find the daily incidence per 10,000.

[2] According to Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, “Long-term care facility means a nursing home, assisted living facility, or intermediate care facility. There are just over 400 long-term care facilities in Idaho. Outbreak means at least one lab-confirmed COVID-19-positive case associated with a facility.”

WEEKLY CASES BY SCHOOL DISTRICT

The following table represents data on confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases among students and staff attending in-person classes where investigations began between February 21, 2021 – February 27, 2021.

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 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except for observed holidays) at 208-455-5411.

 # # #

Media Contacts: 

Ashley Anderson           Ashley.Anderson@phd3.idaho.gov
Katrina Williams            Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov

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For the First Time in 2021 Half of the Counties Within Southwest District Health’s Jurisdiction Reach Gray Alert Level
February 25, 2021 News Release Comments Off on For the First Time in 2021 Half of the Counties Within Southwest District Health’s Jurisdiction Reach Gray Alert Level

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For the First Time in 2021 Half of the Counties Within Southwest District Health’s Jurisdiction Reach Gray Alert Level

CALDWELL, IDAHO – For the first time this year, 3 of the 6 counties within Southwest District Health’s (SWDH) jurisdiction have reached the gray or routine risk category. SWDH continues to see declining daily incidence rates and decreasing positivity rates. This is based on data available for the date range February 7, 2021 –February 20, 2021. Adams, Payette, and Washington counties are at the gray COVID-19 health alert level this week. Canyon, Gem, and Owyhee counties are at the yellow health alert level this week. As of February 20, 2021, the daily district-wide incidence rate per 10,000 population is 1.29.

Thank you to residents of District 3 for continuing to follow current recommendations to slow the spread of COVID-19. As a reminder, all six counties in the district continue to experience community spread, which puts people living in and visiting these communities at higher risk for exposure. Each week, we see our communities’ resilience and determination to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we can see that we are trending in the right direction. Although half of the counties in the SWDH jurisdiction have reached the gray or routine alert level, it is more important than ever to continue safe practices to help bring all of our counties to this same level. Small things can make a big difference, here are things that you can do routinely to help your community reduce the spread of COVID-19:

• Wash hands frequently
• Cover cough and sneeze, and then wash your hands afterward
• Stay home when sick
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily
• Put distance between yourself and people outside your home (at least 6 feet)

SWDH continues to strongly recommend cloth face covering (mask) use when in public places and interacting with others that live outside of your household. If you have received COVID-19 vaccination, it is important to
continue the practices listed above.

The information used in determining county health alert levels is provided below.

ADAMS COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Gray
Adams County will move to the gray health alert level, with a low incidence rate and decreasing positivity rate. Adams County saw a daily COVID-19 incidence of 1.01 daily new cases per 10,000 people, which is decreasing.1
Many of the new cases can be traced to household exposure. Evidence collected through investigations during the two-week period show community transmission in Adams County, with 66.67% of cases able to identify a potential exposure source. No positive tests were reported in Adams County during the first week of the twoweek date range. One case of COVID-19 was reported in Adams County schools, with no evidence of
transmission within the school.

CANYON COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Yellow
Canyon County will remain in the yellow health alert level due to a decreasing daily incidence rate and positivity rate. Canyon County has a daily incidence rate of 1.40 daily new cases per 10,000 people which is steadily decreasing. Canyon County has a positivity rate of 5.60%, which is also decreasing and nearing our goal of 5.00% or less. Only 62.18% of COVID-19 cases have reported knowing where they were exposed, which points to community spread. SWDH investigators are seeing cases exposed through social gatherings, travel, workplaces and households. Eleven congregate living facilities are reporting cluster outbreaks.2 Multiple schools in Canyon County are reporting cluster outbreaks, with transmission occurring within the schools.

GEM COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Yellow
Gem County will remain the yellow health alert level, due to precautionary measures outlined in our board-approved Health Alert Level Guidelines as stated, “At least two full weeks will be spent in a Health Alert Level
before determinations to move to a lower less severe level (e.g., from High to Medium).” Gem County saw a decreasing incidence rate and positivity rate. Gem County has a daily incidence rate of 0.95 daily cases per
10,000 people which is decreasing. The test positivity rate for Gem County is 2.82% which is decreasing and meets our goal of 5.00% or less. Three congregate care facilities in Gem County are facing sustained COVID-19
outbreaks. 57.89% of new cases that were contacted knew where they were exposed to COVID-19, which is trending slightly up and indicates community transmission. Of the individuals who could identify their exposure source, most were attributed to households or workplace exposure. No cases of COVID-19 were reported in Gem County schools.

OWYHEE COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Yellow
Owyhee County will remain in the yellow health alert level this week, due to an increasing daily incidence rate and positivity rate. Owyhee County currently has a daily incidence rate of 1.39 daily cases per 10,000 people, which is increasing slightly. The test positivity rate is 13.21% which is increasing and shows that COVID-19 is more prevalent in the community than our data show. 50.00% of cases can identify an exposure source, which is decreasing and indicates sustained community transmission. SWDH epidemiologists are seeing cluster outbreaks in Owyhee County primarily from household and school exposure. Multiple schools in Owyhee County are reporting cluster outbreaks.

PAYETTE COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Gray
Payette County will move to the gray health alert level, with a decreasing positivity rate and incidence rate. Payette County has a daily incidence rate of 0.93 daily new cases per 10,000 people which is decreasing. Payette County has a test positivity rate of 3.72%, which is also decreasing and meets our goal of 5.00% or less. 65.22% of cases know where they were exposed to COVID-19, which is increasing but still indicates community transmission. SWDH epidemiologists are concerned by cluster outbreaks within local workplace settings, including Idaho and Oregon workplaces, as well as through household exposure and social gatherings. One sporadic, imported case of COVID-19 was reported in a Payette County school, with no evidence of a cluster outbreak.

WASHINGTON COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Gray
Washington County will move to the gray health alert level, due to a decreasing daily incidence rate, and low positivity rate. Washington County currently has a daily incidence rate of 0.49 daily cases per 10,000 people, which is decreasing. The positivity rate for Washington County is 4.59%, which is increasing but still meets our goal of 5.00% or less. 75.00% of confirmed cases know where they were exposed to COVID-19, which is increasing and indicates a reduction in community transmission. Of the cases who could identify a potential exposure source, most were associated with household exposures. No cases of COVID-19 were reported in Washington County schools.

[1] The incidence rate measures how many cases occur each day, and standardizes this value by population. SWDH measures the daily incidence rate per 10,000 population using the following calculation: daily confirmed and probable cases are averaged over the two-week period. This value is divided by the county population, and then multiplied by 10,000 to find the daily incidence per 10,000.
2 According to Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, “Long-term care facility means a nursing home, assisted living facility, or intermediate care facility. There are just over 400 long-term care facilities in Idaho. Outbreak means at least one lab-confirmed COVID-19-positive case associated with a facility.”

WEEKLY CASES BY SCHOOL DISTRICT

The following table represents data on confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases among students and staff attending in-person classes where investigations began between February 14, 2021 – February 20, 2021.

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 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except for observed holidays) at 208-455-5411.

 # # #

Media Contacts: 

Ashley Anderson           Ashley.Anderson@phd3.idaho.gov
Katrina Williams            Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov

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COVID-19 Public Health Advisory Lifted for Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, and Washington Counties
February 12, 2021 Public Health Advisory Comments Off on COVID-19 Public Health Advisory Lifted for Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, and Washington Counties

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COVID-19 Public Health Advisory Lifted for Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, and Washington Counties                                                       

CALDWELL, IDAHO – Southwest District Health has lifted the COVID-19 Public Health Advisory issued November 20, 2020 for the six-county jurisdiction of Adams, Canyon, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, and Washington Counties. The advisory was prompted by a continued surge in case counts, increasing demands on the healthcare system, and a backlog of cases that required public health investigators and contact tracers to prioritize incoming case work. The health advisory was not a mandate but instead included strong recommendations for individuals and businesses around personal behaviors and business operations.

Lifting the advisory is prompted by a decline in case counts, hospitalizations, and incidence rates in the majority of the counties across the six-county region. As of February 6, 2021, the daily district-wide incidence rate per 10,000 population is 2.22. Also, for the first time in months, all six counties are below the red health alert level.

As a reminder, all six counties in the district continue to experience community spread, which puts people living in and visiting these communities at higher risk for exposure. It is the goal of Southwest District Health to work our way back to a place where we have no community spread.

Thank you to our communities for continuing to do your part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our region. COVID-19 vaccines are just one of the tools we have to help return to pre-pandemic normal. Southwest District Health encourages everyone who lives, works, and plays in Southwest Idaho to follow the recommendations for the current health alert level in your respective county.

Questions may be directed to the SWDH COVID-19 Call Center Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 208-455-5411. Please refer to https://swdh.id.gov/covid19/ for the latest local numbers and data and https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/ for statewide information.

# # #

Media Contacts: 

Ashley Anderson           Ashley.Anderson@phd3.idaho.gov
Katrina Williams            Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov

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All six counties have moved out of the red health alert level; Counties within Southwest District Health’s jurisdiction continue to see declining daily incidence rates
February 11, 2021 News Release Comments Off on All six counties have moved out of the red health alert level; Counties within Southwest District Health’s jurisdiction continue to see declining daily incidence rates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

All six counties have moved out of the red health alert level; Counties within Southwest District Health’s jurisdiction continue to see declining daily incidence rates

CALDWELL, IDAHO – COVID-19 continues to spread throughout District 3. Some areas within District 3 are experiencing a downward trend in COVID-19, with declining daily incidence rates and positivity rates. However, some areas in District 3 are still experiencing elevated rates of COVID-19 incidence. This is based on data available for the date range January 24, 2021 – February 6, 2021. Adams, Canyon, Owyhee, Payette, and Washington counties are at the yellow COVID-19 health alert level this week. Gem County remains at the orange health alert level. For the first time in recent months, all counties within the District 3 jurisdiction are below the red health alert level. As of February 6, 2021, the daily district-wide incidence rate per 10,000 population is 2.22.

Thank you to residents of District 3 for continuing to follow current recommendations to slow the spread of COVID-19. As a reminder, all six counties in the district continue to experience community spread, which puts people living in and visiting these communities at higher risk for exposure. It is the goal of Southwest District Health to work our way back to a place where we have no community spread and with your help we can see that we are trending in the right direction.

The information used in determining county health alert levels is provided below.

ADAMS COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Yellow

Adams County will remain in the yellow health alert level, with a decreasing incidence rate and positivity rate. Adams County saw a daily COVID-19 incidence of 1.18 daily new cases per 10,000 people, which is steadily decreasing.  Many of these new cases can be traced to workplace exposure. Evidence collected through investigations during the two-week period show community transmission in Adams County, with 66.67% of cases able to identify a potential exposure source. Additionally, the test positivity rate for Adams County is 2.04%, which is decreasing and meets our goal of 5.00% or less. One case of COVID-19 was reported in Adams County schools, with no evidence of transmission within the school.

CANYON COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Yellow

Canyon County will move to the yellow health alert level due to a decreasing daily incidence rate and positivity rate. Canyon County has a daily incidence rate of 2.33 daily new cases per 10,000 people which is steadily decreasing. Canyon County has a positivity rate of 7.48%, which is also decreasing and nearing our goal of 5.00% or less. Only 61.28% of COVID-19 cases have reported knowing where they were exposed, which points to community spread. SWDH investigators are seeing cases exposed through social gatherings, community events, travel, workplaces and households. Fifteen congregate living facilities are reporting cluster outbreaks.  Multiple schools in Canyon County are reporting cluster outbreaks, with transmission occurring within the schools.

GEM COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Orange

Gem County will remain in the orange health alert level, with a decreasing incidence rate and positivity rate. Gem County has a daily incidence rate of 2.60 daily cases per 10,000 people which is decreasing but still falls within the orange level. The test positivity rate for Gem County is 7.66% which is decreasing and nearing our goal of 5.00% or less. Three congregate care facilities in Gem County are facing sustained COVID-19 outbreaks. 70.45% of new cases that were contacted knew where they were exposed to COVID-19, which is trending slightly down and indicates an increase in community transmission. Of the individuals who could identify their exposure source, most were attributed to household and workplace exposure. Multiple sporadic, imported cases of COVID-19 were reported in a Gem County school with no evidence of transmission within the school.

OWYHEE COUNTY –  Health Alert Level: Yellow

Owyhee County will remain in the yellow health alert level this week, due to a very low daily incidence rate and decreasing positivity rate. Owyhee County currently has a daily incidence rate of 1.21 daily cases per 10,000 people, which continues to decrease. The test positivity rate is 6.25% which is decreasing and nearing our goal of 5.00% or less. 68.75% of cases can identify an exposure source, which increased substantially but still indicates sustained community transmission. SWDH epidemiologists are seeing cluster outbreaks in Owyhee County primarily from social gatherings, workplaces, and household exposure. No cases of COVID-19 were reported in Owyhee County schools during this date range.

PAYETTE COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Yellow

Payette County will move to the orange health alert level, with a decreasing positivity rate and incidence rate. Payette County has a daily incidence rate of 1.61 daily new cases per 10,000 people which is decreasing. Payette County has a test positivity rate of 5.04%, which is also decreasing and nearing our goal of 5.00% or less. 51.35% of cases know where they were exposed to COVID-19, which is decreasing and indicates an increase in community transmission. SWDH epidemiologists are concerned by cluster outbreaks within local workplace settings, including Idaho and Oregon workplaces, as well as through household exposure and social gatherings. Multiple schools in Payette County are reporting sporadic, imported cases of COVID-19 with no evidence of cluster outbreaks.

WASHINGTON COUNTY – Health Alert Level: Yellow

Washington County will move to the yellow health alert level, due to a decreasing daily incidence rate, and positivity rate. Washington County currently has a daily incidence rate of 2.25 daily cases per 10,000 people, which decreased by nearly 60%. The positivity rate for Washington County is 3.53%, which decreased and meets our goal of 5.00% or less. 44.00% of confirmed cases know where they were exposed to COVID-19, which decreased sharply and points to an increase in community transmission. Of the cases who could identify a potential exposure source, most were associated with household and workplace exposures. No cases of COVID-19 were reported in Washington County schools.

 WEEKLY CASES BY SCHOOL DISTRICT

The following table represents data on confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases among students and staff attending in-person classes where investigations began between January 31, 2021 – February 6, 2021.

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 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (except for observed holidays) at 208-455-5411.

# # #

Media Contacts:  Ashley Anderson   Ashley.Anderson@phd3.idaho.gov

Katrina Williams    Katrina.Williams@phd3.idaho.gov

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