On Monday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 1,099 new cases and 4 new deaths to its statewide total. That’s in addition to 2,447 new cases and 7 deaths added over the weekend, which brings the statewide total to 83,344 known cases and 763 deaths.

Statewide, the positivity rate continues to climb, hitting nearly 17 percent the first week of November. Idaho broke hospitalization records last week, and though those numbers have dropped slightly in recent days, they’re still higher than they ever were before mid-November, and hospitals statewide continue to warn that they’re at or near capacity.

Earlier this week, the Idaho Supreme Court announced a pause on jury trials statewide until January because of COVID spread throughout the state. On Thursday, Melissa Davlin spoke to outgoing Chief Justice Roger Burdick about that decision and its impact on pretrial detainees and people facing evictions.

On Friday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 1,519 new cases and 3 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 79,798 known cases and 752 deaths.

Governor Brad Little moved Idaho back to a modified Stage 2 today. That means gatherings of more than 10 people are prohibited. Businesses should encourage telework when possible, and bars and restaurants must operate with limited numbers and and seating only.

The governor also mobilized 100 members of the National Guard to help with Idaho’s overwhelmed health care system. The governor did not order a mask mandate, but did plead with all Idahoans to wear masks.

Idaho Reports will discuss today’s developments and take a closer look at what’s happening in rural hospitals and Idaho’s court system.

Hospitals are short staffed, diverting patients and cancelling elective procedures. The governor is deploying the National Guard and rolling Idaho back to Stage Two, but is it too little, too late?

This week, Abner King, CEO of Syringa Hospital in Grangeville, tells us how COVID is affecting rural hospitals like his. Then, Idaho Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Burdick talks about the court’s decision to halt jury trials until January in light of COVID spread.

On Thursday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 1,158 new cases and 16 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 78,279 known cases and 749 deaths.

Three deaths each were reported in Bonneville and Twin Falls counties, two deaths in Idaho County, and one death each in Ada, Bannock, Canyon, Franklin, Fremont, Minidoka, Nez Perce, and Payette counties.

As of Monday, November 9th, a record 361 Idahoans were hospitalized and 94 were in the ICU with the virus.

Tomorrow at 1pm Mountain Time, noon Pacific Time, Governor Brad Little will hold a press conference to update Idahoans about COVID-19. You can watch it live on Idaho Public Television.

On Wednesday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 1,693 new cases and 19 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 77,121 known cases and 733 deaths.

That’s a new record number of daily cases and deaths, and Idaho continues to see a record number of COVID-19 hospitalizations.

St Luke’s Magic Valley hospital is not taking any transfer intensive care patients from the Elko, Nevada hospital. The Elko hospital made the request after being told that Utah hospitals can’t take their patients either.

According to the Idaho Press, one out of three people coming into Primary Health clinics in Boise for coronavirus testing are testing positive.

Governor Brad Little will hold a press conference on Friday to update Idahoans about COVID-19 in the state. You can watch it live on Idaho Public Television.

On Tuesday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 1,201 new cases and 16 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 75,428 known cases and 714 deaths.

Ada County reports six deaths today and Bannock County reports two deaths. Bonneville, Canyon, Cassia, Idaho, Kootenai, Nez Perce, Payette and Twin Falls counties each report one death.

Last night, the Twin Falls City Council voted to indefinitely table a proposed mask mandate after four hours of testimony. Boise State Public Radio reports that the mandate would have required masks at indoor and outdoor public spaces for 60 days.

In Kootenai County, the Post Falls City Council voted down a proposed mask mandate. KXLY 4 News Now in Spokane reports that the council will later consider requiring masks at the city hall.

On Monday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 1,266 new cases and 12 new deaths to its statewide total, in addition to the 2,052 cases and 7 deaths added over the weekend. Saturday’s total set yet another record for new daily cases. That brings the statewide total to 74,227 known cases and 698 deaths.

Hospitals statewide continue to struggle with the influx of COVID patients. The Idaho Statesman reports that St. Luke's Magic Valley had to divert patients for two weekends in a row because they were at capacity. Last Thursday saw a record for patients hospitalized, with 342 statewide.

This week, Joan Cartan-Hansen talks with Chief Deputy Secretary of State Chad Houck about Idaho’s election process, then with James Dawson of Boise State Public Radio and Logan Finney of Idaho Reports about Idaho turning a little more red this week with Republicans winning their statewide Senate and Congressional races, plus picking up a couple of seats in the Idaho Legislature.

On Friday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 1,330 new cases and 9 new deaths to its statewide total, setting yet another record for new daily cases. That brings the statewide total to 70,909 known cases and 680 deaths.

Today’s numbers show 307 new cases in Ada County, 143 in Twin Falls County, 116 in Kootenai County, and 100 in Canyon County.

The Post Register reports that the Eastern Idaho Public Health board moved Lemhi County into the critical risk level of their coronavirus response plan yesterday, after increasing case numbers in recent weeks and stress on the local hospital. The critical risk designation does not come with any additional restrictions.

The board also voted to remove its mask mandate for Custer County, though that could be reinstated if cases there begin to rise again.