Idaho is seeing a record number of coronavirus cases in recent days, but new health measures may be on the way to curb the spread ahead of Thanksgiving.
What’s going on?
The state of Idaho saw a new record of confirmed COVID-19 cases with 1,781. The state reported 35 deaths in a single day from the virus, according to CBS2.
- The previous high was 17 deaths.
CNN reports that Idaho had the 17th-most new infections over the last week, which “ is not as dire as those of other nearby states.”
Key quote:
- “We’ve come to the profound conclusion that what we’ve been doing hasn’t been working,” Idaho Gov. Brad Little said Friday.
What’s being done?
Central District Health issued “strong recommendations” to reduce residents’ activity to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, according to The Idaho Statesman.
CDH Director Russ Duke said these are simply recommendations. He said he would prefer not to issue a firm mandate for people, according to The Idaho Statesman.
The recommends include:
- Wearing face masks anytime people are within of 6 feet from someone outside their household
- Suspend youth and adult sports where there can’t be social distancing
- Let people work from home when possible
- Avoid close contact with anyone outside your household
- Close restaurant dining rooms
In Boise, Mayor Lauren McLean has been hinting at adding additional actions before the Thanksgiving holiday, according to BoiseDev.
- “Our goal is rather than shutting everything down, using an axe if you will, we want to use a scalpel and look at how we can come up with a framework in partnership with businesses that allows us celebrate, partner and to support those that are doing well and provide them the help they need when customers refuse to comply with rules we have in place,” she said.