On Thursday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 1,265 new cases and 7 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 69,579 known cases and 671 deaths.

Ada County reported its second case of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in children. The disease strikes very young COVID-19 patients and can be life threatening. There have five cases statewide so far.

Idaho families have until tomorrow to apply for assistance to help pay for educational materials, computers or other education services. Families can receive up to $3,500. Check out the Strong Families, Strong Students website (https://strongfamilies.idaho.gov) for more information.

Friday on Idaho Reports, we’ll analyze the results of this week’s election and discuss the impact COVID has had on the people and the process.

We’ll see you back here tomorrow, and until then, stay safe, Idaho.

On Tuesday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 1,179 new cases and 15 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 67,024 known cases and 647 deaths.

Right now, every one of Idaho’s major urban areas is reporting a high number of cases, from Kootenai County sweeping down through the Treasure Valley, Twin Falls, and Idaho Falls. Rural counties continue to have high incidence rates.

Tonight the Idaho Reports team is bringing you live updates on legislative and congressional races throughout the evening on social media. Make sure you’re following Idaho Reports on Twitter and Facebook.

On Wednesday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 1,290 new cases and 17 new deaths to its statewide total. That’s a new single-day record of both reported cases and deaths in Idaho, bringing the statewide total to 68,314 known cases and 664 deaths.

Members of the state Disaster Medical Advisory Committee sent a letter to Governor Brad Little this week asking for a statewide mask mandate. They’re concerned that Idaho’s hospitals are so overwhelmed that they’re on the brink of moving to crisis standards of care. When that happens, doctors have to prioritize who gets care based on things like the likelihood of survival.

A Blaine County man and a Twin Falls County woman are the state’s first flu-related deaths of the season. Both individuals also had COVID-19. Doctors encourage everyone to get a flu shot.

On Monday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 757 new cases and 2 new deaths to its statewide total, in addition to 1,278 new cases and 4 new deaths added over the weekend. That brings the statewide total to 65,845 known cases and 632 deaths.

Thanks to a partnership with the State Board of Pharmacy, Albertsons and Safeway pharmacies are offering free at-home Covid-19 tests. The tests can be picked up at the store or mailed to the home and then returned to the lab. Patients can expect results in 72 hours or less once the sample is received.

Tomorrow is election day. The polls open at 8 a.m. and Idaho allows for same day registration, so plan to vote. The Idaho Reports team will have election results and analysis on our social media platforms.

While people are casting their votes, COVID is casting a shadow on the process.

On Monday, Governor Brad Little announced Idaho’s return to Stage 3 as hospitals in nearly every region were at or near capacity.

Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press discusses the rise in COVID cases, the congressional and legislative general election, and how the two intersect.

On Friday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 1,064 new cases and 11 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 63,810 known cases and 626 deaths.

Doctor Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus task force coordinator, met with Governor Brad Little and state officials yesterday. The White House task force recommends Idaho implement statewide policies including limits on occupancy, use of face coverings and strict social distancing.

On Idaho Reports, Melissa Davlin talks with Idaho Press reporter Betsy Russell about the increase in COVID-19 cases and its impact on hospitals and health care workers, and about the upcoming election.

It’s too late to mail your absentee ballots. The polls will open at 8 a.m. on Tuesday and Idaho allows for same day registration. So if you haven’t yet, plan to vote.

On Thursday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 961 new cases and 16 new deaths to its statewide total, the most deaths recorded in a single day of the pandemic so far. That brings the statewide total to 62,746 known cases and 615 deaths.

Seven of today’s deaths came from Ada County. Two came from Bonneville County, another two from Twin Falls County, and one each from Canyon, Gooding, Kootenai, Madison, and Lemhi counties.

The Idaho Press reports that five Canyon County poll workers at the O’Connor Field House early voting location in Caldwell have tested positive for the coronavirus. The infected workers have been home since testing positive.

Early voting ends on Friday, and the general election is Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 862 new cases and 14 new deaths to its statewide total, tying the record for the most reported deaths in a single day. That brings the statewide total to 61,785 known cases and 599 deaths.

Kootenai Health Hospital in Coeur d’ Alene reports that its facility is at 90 percent capacity, down from 99 percent capacity last week.

St. Luke’s in Boise had a seven percent increase in COVID patients overnight, while St. Lukes’s in Meridian, Nampa and the Magic Valley showed a slight decrease in new COVID patients. All of these hospitals still have a significant percentage of COVID cases overall, particularly in the Magic Valley.

Portneuf Medical Center in Pocatello reports a 7 day average of 21 COVID cases per day, up from 8 per day in late August.

On Tuesday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 882 new cases and 5 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 60,923 known cases and 585 deaths.

The Idaho Press reports that ICU beds in the Southwest District Health region are now at about 70% capacity, with 17% of those occupied by COVID-19 patients. Inpatient beds are at 60% capacity, with 10% of those occupied by COVID-19 patients.

Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden is warning residents about misleading healthcare advertisements online, citing deceptive ads about a variety of products that claim to prevent COVID-19 infections or boost immunity to the virus. Idahoans can file complaints with the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division if they see deceptive health claims or advertisements for fake coronavirus cures.

On Monday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 697 new cases and 7 new deaths to its statewide total. That’s in addition to the 1,671 cases and 11 deaths added over the weekend, bringing the statewide total to 60,041 known cases and 580 deaths.

On Monday, Gov. Brad Little announced that Idaho is rolling back to Stage 3, after multiple hospitals around the state are at or near capacity because of an increase in COVID-19 cases.

Indoor gatherings are limited to 50 people, and outdoor gatherings are limited to 25 percent of a venue’s capacity. Bars can remain open, but all customers must be seated. Stage 3 does not affect churches or schools, and there is no associated mask order.