Health
Build Back Better: What’s in it for Idaho?
The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly passed the Build Back Better Act, a massive piece of legislation that includes funding for many social programs and clean energy, on Nov. 19. It awaits consideration by the U.S. Senate, where it is unclear how the bill might be amended or cut in order to win over a […]
Vaccine mandate for health care workers halted nationwide by Louisiana judge
WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Louisiana on Tuesday issued a ruling blocking nationwide the Biden administration mandate requiring millions of health care workers be vaccinated against COVID-19. A suit challenging the mandate was led on behalf of multiple states by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, a Republican, and U.S. Judge Terry Doughty granted the […]
Saltzer to start administering monoclonal antibodies for COVID-19
Saltzer Health urgent care clinic in Nampa will offer monoclonal antibody treatments, beginning Dec. 1, to people who test positive for COVID-19 and are at risk of hospitalizations. Vaccines continue to be the best defense against COVID-19, a news release from Saltzer and Southwest District Health noted. Saltzer will offer the treatments by appointment only, […]
Today in Idaho hospitals and COVID-19 (updated 11/30): Patients, ERs, ICUs
The number of adults with COVID-19 in Idaho’s intensive care units remains on a downward trajectory, falling into the 80s and 90s each day of the past week. Still, the coronavirus disease currently takes up more than 10% of all hospital beds in Idaho, and more than 30% of staffed adult ICU beds, according to […]
Federal vaccine mandate for health care workers in 10 states blocked by judge
WASHINGTON — Enforcement of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for millions of health care workers was blocked in 10 states on Monday, after a ruling by a federal judge in Missouri. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Matthew Schelp affects the states involved in the lawsuit, which include Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South […]
New COVID omicron variant ‘not a cause for panic,’ Biden says
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden sought to reassure Americans on Monday about the latest COVID-19 variant, describing it as “a cause for concern, not a cause for panic.” Biden did not announce any new travel restrictions or other federal actions during his brief remarks from the White House. Instead, he urged Americans to get a booster […]
‘I have not seen it like this’: Idaho’s child welfare safety net is wearing thin
So far this year, at least 44 Idaho children removed from their homes for safety reasons have stayed in short-term rentals or hotel rooms, often sharing the space with other foster children. A majority of those temporary placements happened just since August. They cost the state about $40,000 so far. Before this year, they were […]
White House imposes travel restrictions for Africa amid new COVID-19 variant
WASHINGTON — The White House is set to announce travel restrictions to eight countries in Southern Africa on Monday due to the discovery of a new coronavirus variant, according to senior administration officials. The World Health Organization classified the COVID-19 variant as a “variant of concern” due to its high mutation and transmission rate, and […]
Judges in Idaho can set their own COVID rules again, court says
Following the end of crisis standards of care for most of Idaho, the Idaho Supreme Court will return to allowing local judicial districts to set their own COVID-19 rules, according to an order issued Tuesday. “In light of the improving circumstances … we have concluded that further modification of our safety protocols is now warranted,” […]
Crutches are in low supply. St. Luke’s needs your help.
A missing link in the supply chain is now keeping crutches from reaching the people who need them. “Ongoing supply chain issues due to the COVID-19 pandemic have led to shortages in aluminum,” a St. Luke’s Health System news release said. Do you have new or gently used crutches, especially those made for adults? Here’s […]
A new battle: Idaho’s COVID-19 surge left thousands of patients in need of care
A few weeks after Idaho’s first-ever declaration of crisis standards of care, Gov. Brad Little took a call from Gloria, a woman in Kimberly. “I have a question for you,” she said during a Sept. 28 AARP Idaho telephone town hall. “I got my vaccine. I rolled up my sleeve. I did my civic duty. […]
Idaho out of statewide crisis standards after 67 days; now only in North Idaho
Most of Idaho’s hospitals have returned to semi-normalcy today, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare announced Monday. Idaho Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen on Nov. 22 announced that Idaho has exited a statewide “crisis standards of care” declaration. However, North Idaho remains under the mass casualty triage framework, due to prolonged surge of […]