Record number of patients are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Idaho, 4 new deaths added

Idaho is still feeling the effects from a surge in coronavirus cases during the month of July.

There were a record 242 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Idaho as of Monday, according to information provided by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. The previous high was 239 hospitalizations on July 29. Of those patients, 42 were in intensive care.

Idaho began the month of July with 93 coronavirus-related deaths, but that number has since grown to 218. Four new deaths were announced Wednesday among Ada (2 new, 72 total), Canyon (1 new, 43 total) and Gem (first death) counties. The case fatality rate is about 0.96%.

Southwest District Health provided demographic information for the first death in Gem County (female in her 80s with underlying health complications) and the first death in Owyhee County (male in his 80s who had been hospitalized), which was announced July 31.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with those impacted by these recent COVID-19 deaths,” said Nikki Zogg, SWDH District Director, in a press release.

The state’s seven health districts reported a combined 430 confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Wednesday, increasing the statewide total to 21,354. Health and Welfare also reported 72 new “probable cases,” bringing that total to 1,439. Additionally, 8,207 people are now considered to be “recovered” from the virus.

It was the second straight day of new cases exceeding 400, after three straight days of counts less than that.