Kootenai County, ID: Following the afternoon briefing of the Kootenai County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Unified Command, today’s report shows one new case of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Panhandle Health District. This bring our total to 54, with 50 in Kootenai County and four in Bonner County.
Thanks to our continued efforts locally of heeding the social distancing guidelines we are finding that 28 of our 54 cases are no longer being monitored. This is defined by the Panhandle Health District as a person who has stayed home for the recommended period of time and have not had a fever for at least 72 hours. Details on any new cases are posted and updated in real time on www.panhandlehealthdistrict.org/covid-19/.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there on social media. So for the most accurate and up-to-date information on COVID-19 please continue to follow the Kootenai County Office of Emergency Management’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kootenaioem/.
Finally, here is a word from Chief Chris Way of our Unified Command at the EOC. Given the events of last night in Kootenai County you can imagine that our law enforcement partners are a bit busy and taxed today. That said, we have spent a lot of time, deservedly, talking about the great work that our local Healthcare Professionals, First Responders and Volunteers are doing to fight the COVID-19 crisis. Today I would ask that you join me in thanking our Law Enforcement agencies and officers specifically. Not only have they been engaged in the COVID-19 fight they are steadfast in the mission of keeping our community safe. The work last night is just one example of the courageous service that they display all of the time! I have the good fortune of working with these professionals regularly and I know we are in good hands because of them!
For any inquiries regarding COVID-19 in Kootenai County, you can contact our Citizen Inquiry line Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm at 208-446-2292.
Unified Commanders,
Sheriff Ben Wolfinger
Chief Chris Way
Kootenai County Emergency Operations Center