Idaho deactivates crisis standards for most of the state

By KEITH RIDLER
Associated Press

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Idaho’s top health official has deactivated crisis standards of care except for northern Idaho. State Department of Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen issued the decision Monday after health officials said the number of COVID-19 patients remains high but no longer exceeds health care resources in most areas. Crisis standards of care give legal and ethical guidelines to health care providers when they have too many patients and not enough resources to care for them all. Idaho activated crisis standards due to the coronavirus pandemic for northern Idaho on Sept. 7, and statewide on Sept. 16.