STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK

Idaho has more confirmed cases or coronavirus per capita than California.

But the peak could come next week—April 16, to be exact--according to the latest projections by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington.

The need for hospital beds and ventilators is expected to peak on April 14. The IHME estimates Idaho will need 124 hospital beds, 24 intensive care beds and 20 ventilators on that date. The state’s hospitals have enough beds and ventilators to handle the demand if those projections are accurate.

The group projects 57 Idahoans will die of coronavirus by Aug. 4, 2020, with the peak day for deaths on April 16. Three deaths are projected that day.

But, the projections say, the total number could range from 31 to 114.

To learn more visit https://covid19.healthdata.org/united-states-of-america/idaho

Blaine County reported no new cases of coronavirus on Wednesday. But it did record another death due to the coronavirus. Five Blaine County residents have now lost their lives due to COVID-19.

Idaho now has 20 deaths—up from 15 the day before. The state has 1,252 confirmed cases—42 more than the day before.

The number of cases in Ada county doubled from Tuesday to Wednesday.

ST. LUKE’S GIVEN A TEMPERATURE SCANNER

A generous donor has made it possible for St. Luke’s to purchase a thermal temperature scanner. The scanner, now operational, will monitor the temperatures of patients, staff and visitors when they enter the hospital.

St. Luke’s doctors remind the community that they can save lives by abiding by the self-isolation order: “Don’t leave the Wood River Valley to recreate elsewhere. Stay home. Save lives.”

COVID-19 RESPONSE FUND

St. Luke’s Wood River Foundation has set up a COVID-19 Response Fund to help the hospital provide the best care for patients, keep caregivers safe and provide necessary equipment. To support it visit https://www.slwrf.org/donate/

FEDS HAND OVER MASKS

Idaho is distributing 600,000 masks and gloves to health care workers throughout the state that it received from the national stockpile. A surveillance system monitors how much personal protective equipment is available and how quickly it’s being used, says the Idaho Statesman.

As of March 30, Idaho hospitals had three million pieces, including 650,513 surgical masks, 144,245 N95 masks, 122,396 gowns, 20,071 face shields and 6,666 pairs of goggles. At that time, front-line workers were using 625 N95 masks, which filter tiny coronavirus particles, per day.

St. Luke’s highest priority are N95 masks and isolation gowns.

THE LIBERTY REBELLION THREATENING TO UNDERMINE CORONAVIRUS ORDERS

The Seattle News published an article Wednesday focusing on some Northern Idahoans’ reluctance to adhere to Idaho’s stay-at-home orders.

It related how Ammon Bundy, the man who led an armed takeover of an Oregon wildlife refuge, held a meeting in violation of the governor’s order prohibiting gatherings. His purpose? To create a network of people ready to come to the aid of those facing closure of their businesses or other interference from the government because of the coronavirus outbreak.

Rep. Heather Scott of Blanchard has also called for Idahoans to defy the order, saying it defies the state constitution. And Idaho legislator Tim Remington told 125 members who attended his church recently that what has transpired shows how “They can completely take away all of your First Amendment rights, the right to assemble and everything” because of a flu.

Idaho Attorney Gen. Lawrence Wasden says that the governor’s order to stop the spread of coronavirus is well within the constitutional and statutory boundaries of Idaho law.

To see the story, go to https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/a-liberty-rebellion-in-idaho-threatens-to-undermine-coronavirus-orders/

WOLVERINES TO TURN ON THE LIGHTS

Wood River High School will join with other Idaho schools in a nationwide movement called Be the Light. At 8:20 p.m. on Friday, April 10, the lights at Phil Homer Field will be turned on for 20 minutes to show support for spring sport athletes, coaches and families who are not able to play at this time because of social distancing requirements.

“The lights are a beacon to show that we are thinking of them,” said Kevin Stilling, activities and athletics director at Wood River High School.

Stilling said the field is locked and off limits at this time. People are, however, welcome to drive by as the lights are turned on. But they’re asked to stay in their cars and remain social distancing.

TRAILS BEGIN TO OPEN

Chris Leman, trails director for Blaine County Recreation District, says limited portions of the Croy trail system west of Hailey have opened. They include the Bullion Connector Trail. It can be paired with the newer portion of Two Dog Trail for a short but fun loop right at the trailhead. Nadya’s Trial is open to its intersection with Two Dog.

Leman reminds users to turn back when they encounter muddy conditions and to maintain social distancing.

DRIVE-THRU FARMERS MARKET

The Boise Farmers Market will open as a drive-thru market this Saturday. Customers were asked to place their orders online by 11:30 p.m. Wednesday and choose a pick-up time through an Eventbrite ticket system. Orders will be delivered to customers’ cars.

Four hundred pickups will be allowed per day with the option of extending hours in the weeks to come. Twenty-one vendors are participating at this time.

OVERSEEING FEDERAL FUNDS

Gov. Brad Little has formed a Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee to oversee the $1.25 billion in federal funds Idaho will receive to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

IN OTHER NEWS

Utah is now requiring that those traveling to Utah by air or by car will have to complete a travel declaration. The declaration asks such questions as whether the person has had coronavirus symptoms and whether they’ve been tested.

• Wuhan, where it all began, lifted restrictions on Wednesday after an 11-week lockdown. It still has a few measures in place, including social distancing and temperature checks.
• Starbucks has provided its employees with a pattern for making facemasks after requiring them to wear protection. It is also making thermometers available for its employees to monitor their temperatures.
• Elizabeth, N.J., a city of 128,000 people, is using drones to enforce the governor’s stay-at-home order. The drones have speaker capabilities to offer an automated message telling violators to stop gathering, disperse and go home.
• Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Brett Giroir has warned that some of the antibody tests that have recently been offered by medical clinics and pharmacies across the nation have not been approved by the FDA and may not produce accurate results.
• Switzerland has issued a COVID-19 Solidarity stamp with proceeds going to the Swiss Red Cross.
• Dr. Tony Fauci, who has become the nation’s spokesman on the coronavirus, says he hopes there will be a few therapies to treat infection or maybe even prevent infection by next fall when the United States could see a second cycle.