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COVID-19

Three younger patients test positive for coronavirus in Kootenai County

A member of the medical staff walks past the triage tent that is set up at Kootenai Health in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho for coronavirus testing on Friday, March 20, 2020. Three patients younger than 40 have tested positive in Kootenai County for the novel coronavirus, the Panhandle Health District reported Sunday morning. (Kathy Plonka / The Spokesman-Review)

Three more people in Kootenai County have tested positive for the novel coronavirus, bringing the total number of known cases there to six.

The Panhandle Health District reported the three additional cases early Sunday. An 18-year-old woman and a man and woman both in their 30s tested positive for the virus and are self-isolating at home, according to health officials. Epidemiologists with the agency are determining who has had contact with the patients and notifying them to watch for symptoms, according to a news release.

The Idaho Health Department reported a total of 47 cases of the virus statewide Sunday afternoon, but hadn’t yet included the three additional Kootenai County cases in their total count.

Bars and restaurants in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls were ordered to close Monday by city officials in an effort to stop the spread of the disease, which as of Sunday has infected a known nearly 26,000 people nationwide and caused more than 300 deaths.

Health officials in central Idaho are requesting that those with recent travel to Blaine County limit their time outside the home after it appears the virus has spread into neighboring areas.

Central District Health issued a “shelter in place” advisory for those who have visited Blaine County between March 8 and Sunday. Three confirmed cases in Ada County and one in Valley County had traveled to Blaine County in recent weeks, the district said.

Of Idaho’s 40-plus confirmed cases as of Saturday, roughly half had been reported in Blaine County, according to Idaho Health Department data.

The advisory is not a mandate, Central District Health said in a news release.

“While this is guidance, and not an official order, we are strongly urging any community members this applies to, to do the right thing. This also applies to anyone who has traveled to states or areas outside of Idaho that are currently under shelter in place orders or where there is widespread transmission of COVID-19,” said Russ Duke, district director for Central District Health, in a statement Sunday afternoon.

Those who have traveled to Blaine County are requested to stay home except for necessary medical care.