We're closely tracking Idaho's number of deaths and cases of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, as well as what's happening as Idaho continues to reopen.
We have multiple graphs and timelines looking at the coronavirus case trends in Idaho, including a new graph showing a 14-day average that the State of Idaho is tracking to determine when the Gem State can move to the next reopening stage.
Latest coronavirus updates:
Friday, May 29
5:47 p.m. - 2,570 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Idaho but recoveries increase to over 2,200
Based on data from the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare and health districts across Idaho, there are 82 coronavirus related deaths, 2,570 confirmed cases and 2,225 presumed recovered cases. On Thursday, there were 2,524 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 2,195 recoveries.
See our interactive map and timeline of COVID-19 cases in Idaho, plus a breakdown of the 14-day average of new daily cases.
9:26 a.m. - Boise playgrounds, sports fields to reopen under Stage 3
The City of Boise will reopen recreation amenities on Saturday as Idaho moves into Stage 3 of the reopening plan.
Playgrounds in city parks, outdoor sports fields for youth practices, Rhodes Skate Park and other city skate parks will all be open to the public, according to Boise Parks and REcreation. Also reopening are the Willow Lane BMX Jump Park and the pump tracks at the Boise Bike Park.
Visitors are asked to continue to practice physical distancing when they visit the reopened locations.
7:43 a.m. - West Ada School District to close some meal pickup sites
The West Ada School District will shut down five of its open meal sites starting next Wednesday.
The school district says that during the summer, fewer people are available to work at the sites. Planned construction projects and lower participation also played a role in the closures.
Sixteen other locations will continue providing free breakfasts and lunches to kids. For the full list of meal sites, click here.
Thursday, May 28
8:41 p.m. - In case you missed it:
- Bars to open, non-essential travel allowed as Idaho readies to move into Stage 3
- As hospitals resume elective surgeries, Red Cross send out plea: 'Urgent need for blood donations'
- Boise State policy expert discusses coronavirus impact on US foreign relations and diplomacy
- Idaho unemployment claims still high but slowing down
- Retired Boise police officer volunteers to clean, sanitize homeless shelter during pandemic
5:26 p.m.- Idaho is currently reporting 2,524 confirmed COVID-19 cases, 82 deaths and 2,195 recovered. No new deaths have been reported.
See our interactive map and timeline of COVID-19 cases in Idaho, plus a breakdown of the 14-day average of new daily cases (also in the image below).
4:51 p.m. - City of Boise adopting Stage 3 of reopening, which includes playgrounds at city parks
Following Governor Little's announcement that the State of Idaho will move to Stage Three in the Idaho Rebounds plan, and after consulting with Central District Health, Boise Mayor Lauren McLean announced that the City of Boise will move to the next phase of the city's reopening plan, effective Saturday, May 30.
McLean signed new public health orders coinciding with the state's plan. Additonal safety measures in the order include:
- Requiring businesses to follow the business safety protocols as outlined by the state.
- Providing for additional protection at the Boise Airport, allowing only travelers and essential workers and assistance aides be allowed in public areas.
- Requiring physical distancing of six feet unless protocols have been issued by the state and require sanitation requirements.
- Limiting group gatherings to 50 people or fewer.
- Making provisions to accommodate public meetings.
Playgrounds at city parks will reopen Saturday, as will Rhodes Skate Park and several other facilities. Youth sports leagues may resume practice at city parks once protocols are submitted to the Dept. of Parks and Recreation.
Updates on all city services and facilities are posted in the City of Boise COVID-19 Resource Center.
1:31 p.m. - Idaho to enter Stage 3 of reopening this weekend
Idaho Gov. Brad Little announced Thursday that Idaho has met the criteria to enter Stage 3 of reopening in the Idaho Rebounds plan, beginning on Saturday, May 30.
Bars will be allowed to open on Saturday. Movie theaters will also be moved from Stage 4 to Stage 3.
People should continue to telework if they can, Little said.
If anyone is traveling from an area of high community spread, they should continue to quarantine for 14 days.
Watch below: Gov. Brad Little said Idaho has met the criteria for Stage 3
The Stage 3 of reopening begins on Saturday at 12:01 a.m.
Gatherings of 10 to 50 people are allowed if they follow appropriate social distancing protocols.
During the press conference, Idaho epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn talked about how Idaho officials look at the number of COVID-19 cases to track trends and determine reopening criteria.
Hear her talk through all of the different data Idaho officials analyze here:
Note: KTVB will live stream Idaho Gov. Brad Little's press conference on the third stage of reopening Idaho on Thursday, May 28, at 1:30 p.m. mountain time on KTVB.COM and our YouTube channel. If certain criteria are met, the third stage of Idaho Rebounds would begin on May 30.
We'll live stream the press conference in this article (bookmark this page). It will appear in the video player at the top and in the YouTube video player below shortly before 1:30 p.m..
Wednesday, May 27
9:42 p.m. - Some Idaho Power campgrounds to reopen on Friday
Several developed campgrounds in Hells Canyon and at C.J. Strike Reservoir south of Mountain Home will open Friday as Idaho Power continues a phased reopening of recreational facilities that closed in March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Other popular day-use areas, including Twin Falls Park and boat ramp and the company’s park at Thousand Springs in the Hagerman Valley are also expected to open Friday.
Notable exceptions are Copperfield Campground in Hells Canyon and Scout Park at C.J. Strike, both of which will remain closed until further notice. Access across Swan Falls Dam south of Kuna and to the museum there also remains closed. According to Idaho Power, those locations will be among the last sites to reopen because they are close to Idaho Power facilities where power plant employees are most likely to come into contact with visitors.
An updated list of which sites are open is available here.
9:14 p.m. - In case you missed it:
- Boise mayor on coronavirus cases: 'We are optimistic' about moving to next reopening stage
- Ada County Elections taking steps to prevent fraud, protect voter privacy
- What does 'pending issue stopping payment' mean? Idaho Department of Labor answers common unemployment questions
- Meatpacking plant in Burley hit with coronavirus outbreak
- 'This risk is simply too high': McCall cancels Fourth of July fireworks show
- CWI graduate celebrates her accomplishment by wakesurfing at Lucky Peak
6:04 p.m. - Additional death reported in Twin Falls County
The state of Idaho and local health districts are reporting 32 new confirmed cases on Wednesday, bringing the statewide total of cases to 2,496. The state is also reporting an additional five "probable" cases. Another death was reported in Twin Falls County, where a total of 23 people have now died due to COVID-19. Statewide, the death toll now stands at 82. According to the state, 2,185 people have now recovered from the virus.
See our interactive map and timeline of COVID-19 cases in Idaho, plus a breakdown of the 14-day average of new daily cases (also in below image).
1:55 a.m. State releases 'guidance for gatherings' document
Idaho Gov. Brad Little and local public health officials have released a document designed to help event organizers determine whether a gathering can safely go forward.
The guidance is broken down by the stages of reopening, and includes tips like limiting entrances and exits, using barriers and signs to enforce physical distancing, and dedicate some staff to disinfecting areas that come into a lot of contact with people.
“We’re dealing with an unexpected disease that can show very mild or nonexistent symptoms in some people and have devastating effects on others, and we all must do our part to protect others by following these measures,” Governor Brad Little said. “In the coming months, our personal actions in following the recommended guidance and protocols will help us protect lives, preserve healthcare capacity, and rebound our economy more quickly.”
0:42 a.m. - McCall is canceling its annual Fourth of July fireworks display
McCall's yearly Independence Day fireworks display over Payette Lake is not happening this year. City officials and the Chamber of Commerce decided to cancel the show out of concerns about social distancing and the spread of coronavirus.
Instead, the community is planning a host of other events for the Fourth of July weekend, including a drive-in concert, boat brigade and a light-up caravan.
Watch Idaho Gov. Little speak about stage 3 of reopening Idaho
KTVB will live stream Idaho Gov. Brad Little's press conference on the third stage of reopening Idaho on Thursday, May 28, at 1:30 p.m. mountain time on KTVB.COM and our YouTube channel. If certain criteria are met, the third stage of Idaho Rebounds would begin on May 30.
At KTVB, we’re focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the virus. To see our full coverage, visit our coronavirus section, here: www.ktvb.com/coronavirus.
Facts not fear: More on coronavirus
See our latest updates in our YouTube playlist:
Coronavirus resources:
What's an 'essential' business under the Idaho stay-home order? Gov. Little answers your questions
Coronavirus resources: Testing sites, at-risk grocery hours in the Treasure Valley
How to help southern Idaho nonprofits or get help during the coronavirus pandemic
List of schools and universities that cancel class in Idaho due to the coronavirus