On Tuesday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added a new record of 1,781 new cases and 35 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 85,125 known cases and 798 deaths.

Eight of those deaths were recorded in Bonneville County, seven were recorded in Ada County, five in Twin Falls County, three each in Caribou and Bannock counties, and one each in Canyon, Cassia, Jefferson, Jerome, Kootenai, Lemhi, Lincoln, Minidoka, Power, and Shoshone counties. One death previously attributed to Gem County was removed or reassigned.

Today was a day of healthcare meetings in the Treasure Valley.

Southwest District Health held a meeting where doctors from St. Luke's Health System warned that their system is close to a breaking point. The surge in COVID-19 cases is causing bottlenecks, putting off elective surgeries and delaying the movement of patients.

Boise Mayor Lauren McLean held a meeting with healthcare executives who warned that hospitals may have to start repurposing spaces like conference rooms because their clinical units are over capacity.

Healthcare leaders at the Boise meeting and at a separate press event held jointly by several Treasure Valley hospitals warn that the number of hospitalized COVID patients could double by Christmas.