Tuesday, August 25, marked the second day of the Idaho Legislature special session on coronavirus issues related to liability and elections. Devon Downey and Melissa Davlin break down the day's events including the House passing a resolution to end Governor Little's emergency declaration, as well as the arrest of Ammon Bundy and other protesters who refused to leave the Lincoln Auditorium.

On Tuesday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 405 new cases and 12 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 30,475 known cases and 326 deaths.

As of August 22, the most recent date for which hospitalization data is available, 160 patients are hospitalized with COVID-19 statewide. That number has steadily trended downward, though the number of patients in the ICU is about the same at 47.

On Monday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 217 new cases and 7 new deaths to its statewide total. That’s in addition to the 484 new cases and 3 deaths added over the weekend.

That brings the statewide total to 30,070 known cases and 314 deaths. Of those deaths, more than half were 80 years or older.

The Idaho Legislature convened Monday, August 24, for a special session to consider issues relating to coronavirus liability and the fall election. Logan Finney was there to cover the day's events, including protestors forcing their way into the House gallery and shattering a glass door.

Rep. Greg Chaney, chairman of the House Judiciary and Rules Committee, discusses the liability legislation that lawmakers will consider at the upcoming special legislative session. Sen. Lori Den Hartog tells us about education-related issues she wishes lawmakers could consider, and Rep. Melissa Wintrow tells us why she doesn’t think a special session is necessary right now at all.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 239 new cases and 6 new deaths to its statewide total on Friday. That brings the statewide total to 29,359 known cases and 304 deaths. All of Friday’s reported deaths came from Ada County.

Earlier today, Gov. Brad Little announced Idaho once again did not meet criteria to advance past Stage 4 of reopening Idaho because of the number of COVID-related hospitalizations, though case numbers are beginning to come down and other metrics have stabilized.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 424 new cases and 7 new deaths to its statewide total on Thursday. That brings the statewide total to 29,120 known cases and 298 deaths.

Canyon County reported 2 of today’s deaths. Shoshone County also reported 2 deaths. Kootenai, Gem, and Fremont counties each reported 1 death.

While some lawmakers say the upcoming special session should take up more bills, others aren’t convinced that a special session is necessary at all. On Friday, Melissa Davlin spoke to Rep. Melissa Wintrow, Democratic candidate for state senate in District 19, about her concerns.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 370 new cases and 9 new deaths to its statewide total on Wednesday. That brings the statewide total to 28,696 known cases and 291 deaths.

Ada reported 4 deaths to the state, while Shoshone County reported 3, and Bingham reported 2. Statewide, rural counties top the list of current infection rates, with Clark, Lemhi, Payette, Washington and Jefferson counties in the top five.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 384 new cases and 9 new deaths to its statewide total Tuesday. That brings the statewide total to 28,326 known cases and 282 deaths.

Ada County reported three of today’s new deaths. Canyon County also reported three, while Kootenai, Payette, and Shoshone counties each reported one.