COVID-19 cases on the rise as Bonneville, Fremont, Jefferson move up to moderate risk category
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) - Health officials are urging us to remain alert even as more vaccines are rolling out.
In a meeting Thursday morning, officials from Eastern Idaho Public Health, area hospitals and county commissioners talked about case rates and hospitalizations going up and gave numbers.
For example, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center went from as few as six patients a couple weeks ago to 20 as recently as Wednesday.
Of those, four are in the ICU. They've also had several transfers from around the area.
Idaho Falls Community Hospital went from having one patient at the end of last week to having 14 this week. One other patient is in the ICU there.
EIPH says they are watching this rise in cases very closely and says there's one big thing they've seen as to why cases are going up.
"During many of our case investigations, we're having, we're talking with individuals who have not isolated as they've become ill," James Corbett of EIPH said. "In fact, a number of times we've talked with individuals who after taking a test, they continue to go about their work or lives, until they get the result and they're positive, and then they start isolating."
He also says they've seen very few transmissions in classroom settings and have seen more cases come as the result of mass gatherings.
Also during Thursday's meeting, modifications were made to the COVID-19 Regional Response Plan.
The main revision was the removal of the provision for the BOH to issue Public Health Orders when a county hits the metric to be moved to the Moderate (yellow) Risk Level. The metric is set at 15 active cases of COVID-19 per 10,00 population.
Currently, two counties in EIPH’s region (Madison and Teton) are under Public Health Orders for the mandatory wearing of face coverings. These orders will be rescinded on Thursday, March 18. It should be noted that even though Public Health Orders are being lifted in Teton County, there are still local masking ordinances in place in the City of Driggs and the City of Victor.
Although Public Health Orders will not be enacted when a county hits the metric detailed above, counties will still be moved up and down between levels to reflect the current COVID situation in the county. COVID cases have been slowly inching up again in the region. Therefore, Bonneville, Fremont, and Jefferson Counties have been moved to the Moderate (yellow) Risk Level.
Clark, Custer and Lemhi remain in the minimal risk category.
The health district is stressing the importance of wearing a mask, social distancing, and washing hands and other surfaces frequently.
EIPH is preparing now to start scheduling appointments for Priority Group 2.3. If you are a member of one of these groups and wish to be vaccinated, click HERE and register on the waiting list.
• Food and agriculture workers (including food processing workers but NOT food service or restaurant/fast food workers)
• USDA processing plant inspectors
• Grocery, convenience store, and food pantry workers
• Idaho National Guard if not included earlier
• Manufacturing, public transit, and U.S. Postal Service workers
• Subset of essential gas, electric, water, and telecommunications utility workers, who work indoors
• Homeless shelter residents
If you are a member of a group that is currently eligible to receive the vaccine and want to be vaccinated now, please call our office at 208-533-3223 to schedule an appointment for an upcoming clinic.
