COVID-19 Update: Fri, Oct 23

Idaho Reports

On Friday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare added 1,073 new cases and 9 new deaths to its statewide total. That brings the statewide total to 57,673 known cases and 562 deaths. Hospital officials across Idaho warn that they are running out of beds and staff to handle increasing COVID-19 case loads. Kootenai Health Hospital in Coeur d’Alene is at 99% capacity. Patients in North Idaho may have to be sent to Seattle or Portland. Hospitals in the Magic Valley are also overwhelmed, and because Boise area hospitals and Salt Lake City area hospitals are filling up, Saint Luke’s officials fear there may be no place to send critically ill patients.