We’ve learned a lot about the novel coronavirus in the six months since the pandemic started affecting Idaho. Dr. Meghan McInerney, pulmonologist at St. Alphonsus in Boise, joins Melissa this week to talk about long-term effects of the virus, and what we still don’t know.

Ada County Clerk Phil McGrane tells us what voters need to know before the Nov. 3 general election, whether they’re voting in-person or by mail.

On Friday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 523 new cases and 1 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 39,757 known cases and 458 deaths.

Friday’s total is the highest reported by IDHW in a single day since mid-August. This week’s positivity rate isn’t available, but last week’s 8.1 percent is up from the previous week’s 6.7 percent.

On Thursday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 491 new cases and 3 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 39,234 known cases and 457 deaths.

Today’s three deaths were reported in Canyon, Adams, and Twin Falls counties. So far this week, the highest reported case counts have come from Ada, Bonneville, Canyon, Madison, and Twin Falls counties.

On Wednesday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 396 new cases and 3 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 38,743 known cases and 454 deaths.

The number of cases statewide has started to increase once again. On Tuesday, Central District Health’s board voted to keep Ada County’s mask mandate in place because of a recent spike in cases. According to the Associated Press, hospital officials from Pocatello and Blackfoot told Southeastern Public Health District that their facilities are operating close to capacity because of COVID-19 patients. The Idaho Press reports an outbreak among Middleton School District, where one employee has passed away.

On Tuesday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 446 new cases and 4 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 38,347 known cases and 451 deaths.

So far this week, Ada, Bonneville, Canyon, Idaho and Madison counties have reported the most new cases. According to the Idaho Statesman and Idaho Education News, Idaho County’s numbers went up dramatically because of testing at North Idaho Correctional Institute in Cottonwood, where 88 inmates and 3 staff members tested positive.

On Monday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 410 new cases and 4 new deaths to its statewide total. That’s in addition to the 532 cases and 5 deaths added over the weekend. That brings the statewide total to 37,901 known cases and 447 deaths.

IDHW officials are asking Idahoans to get flu shots this year. Both influenza and COVID-19 affect the respiratory system, and are spread in similar ways. Officials are concerned that a simultaneous spike in flu and COVID-19 cases this winter could overburden Idaho’s hospitals.

On Friday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 470 new cases and 4 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 36,959 known cases and 438 deaths.

Today, Gov. Brad Little announced that Idaho did not meet the criteria to advance past Stage 4 of reopening the state, due to hospital and ICU admissions. We’ll have more tonight on Idaho Reports.

This week, Joan Cartan-Hansen, host of Science Trek on Idaho Public Television, interviews author and environmental journalist Rocky Barker on fires, climate change, and what the future may hold for Idaho. Then, Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press joins Melissa Davlin to discuss recent CARES Act appropriations in Idaho.

On Thursday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 396 new cases and 5 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 36,489 known cases and 434 deaths.

This week, Ada, Bonneville, Canyon, Madison, and Twin Falls counties have reported the highest number of cases.

On Friday, Gov. Brad Little will hold a press conference to address whether Idaho will advance past Stage 4 of reopening the state. You can watch that press conference on the IdahoPTV Facebook page, and watch Idaho Reports on Friday for more information.

Betsy Russell of the Idaho Press has been covering recent CARES Act funding appropriations, and joined Melissa Davlin to talk about two recent recommendations from the committee, and criticism directed at Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin, who sits on the committee, for missing those votes. They also get into the legal fight over Kanye West’s appearance on Idaho’s November ballot and how it’s really a story about our election laws and Secretary of State.