On Monday, Gov. Brad Little activated the Idaho National Guard to assist with staffing shortages due to COVID-19 at Primary Health Medical Group and the Idaho Department of Correction. This is the fourth time the guard has been activated in Idaho to assist with COVID-related issues.

Little’s decision came as three of southern Idaho’s public health districts remain under crisis standards of care. The declaration, which spans across 18 counties, was largely due to a critical shortage of healthcare staff, as well as blood products used for transfusions and certain treatments.

This week, the statewide COVID test positivity rate dropped modestly, down to 34 percent from last week’s 39 percent.

Pediatric hospitalizations are on the rise this week, and Idaho recorded its second pediatric death due to COVID-19.