Health
Breakthrough cases get attention. But how many Idaho COVID cases are reinfections?
Idaho’s public health officials know the coronavirus managed to infect 17,099 fully vaccinated Idahoans since May 15. They know 543 of those Idahoans with “breakthrough” cases were hospitalized, and 226 died. How do they know? Public health analysts can cross-reference COVID-19 case records with immunization records and pinpoint when a person was “fully vaccinated” — […]
House passes seven bills aimed at fighting vaccine, masking or testing requirements
Legislative activity picked up Tuesday as the Idaho House of Representatives passed seven bills aimed at fighting COVID-19 rules from the federal government and employers, or providing exemptions from mandates. The Idaho Senate received five of those bills Tuesday afternoon and referred them to the Senate State Affairs Committee but did not act on them […]
Idaho Legislature approves joint statement against federal vaccine mandates
The Idaho Legislature has passed a joint memorial that will notify President Joe Biden and his administration that the Legislature strongly opposes vaccine mandates for federal workers and contractors, as well as vaccination and testing requirements for large businesses and health care businesses. Senate Joint Memorial 105 passed on a voice vote in the Senate […]
Another place to get monoclonal antibodies just opened. It’s in Boise.
A state program helped launch COVID-19 monoclonal antibody sites in North Idaho and East Idaho. Now, it’s Boise’s turn. A company called Medical Directors of Idaho is now administering the treatments at Direct COVID Care in Boise. Patients must be referred by a health care provider, within 10 days of symptom onset. Urgent care or […]
Idaho Legislature returns to the Statehouse to fight COVID-19 rules from feds, employers
The Idaho Legislature’s first day back in session Monday lasted nearly 13 hours during a disjointed and sometimes tense reconvening of the longest legislative session in state history. Legislators didn’t pass any bills into law Monday, but they did introduce a total of 36 new bills for consideration, setting the stage for more divisive hearings, […]
‘I’m home’: Valor Pointe serves as housing-first model for Idaho’s homeless veterans
Two years, four months and three days. Gary Canary’s eyes light up as bright as his smartphone’s blue screen, held proudly aloft with an outstretched hand. An app tracks his progress. It’s how much time has passed since June 17, 2019. It’s how long Canary has been clean. It wasn’t, isn’t, easy, he said. Alcohol […]
Deaths in Idaho are 20% higher than average, and 2021 is far from over
Since the pandemic began, an estimated 2,851 to 4,516 more Idahoans have died who likely wouldn’t have in pre-pandemic times. The coronavirus disease is now the top killer of Idahoans of Native American, Asian and Hispanic descent. This year, COVID-19 is poised to be the No. 2 killer of Idahoans in their 20s — after […]
Health and Welfare officials announce first COVID-19 child death in Idaho
An infant in Idaho died of COVID-19 in October, Idaho Health and Welfare officials announced Tuesday, confirming it was the first death of an Idaho child due to infection from the virus. State and local health officials said to protect the grieving family’s privacy, they would not publicly release more specific details “Our hearts go […]
The forgotten pandemic: Health advocates to come together to recognize World Diabetes Day
Sunday is World Diabetes Day, but hold off on the celebration. It is not a day for parades, backyard cookouts or the kind of large family gatherings that go with holidays. In fact, World Diabetes Day – created in 1991 – is not officially a holiday. It’s more of a somber reminder about a global […]
An Idaho man died of rabies. It was the first death of its kind since 1978.
A man from Boise County has died from a rabies infection, according to state and local health officials. It is the first such death in Idaho since 1978. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and Central District Health reported the death in a news release Thursday. “This tragic case highlights how important it is […]
Federal vaccine rule for private businesses to kick in on Jan. 4
WASHINGTON — Many private employers beginning in January will have to ensure their workers either are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or that they will undergo weekly testing and wear a face covering, under a new federal rule announced Thursday by the White House. The policy from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is set to […]
Curious about the relationship between delta COVID-19 and Idaho vaccinations? Check out these maps
The coronavirus thrives in communities with low immunity. During summer and fall, the fast-spreading delta variant invaded Idaho and tore through pockets of the state that have low vaccination rates. The Idaho Capital Sun mapped and analyzed COVID-19 data at the county and ZIP code levels, using data from the Idaho Division of Public Health […]