The US state of Idaho’s state epidemiologist Dr. Christine Hahn said in a news conference on Thursday that until the Covid-19 hospitalization numbers improve, she does not think the state “can move out of stage 4.”
Hahn discussed the number of residents currently in hospital with suspected or confirmed Covid-19.
“The last date we have there is October 12, and you can see 219 Idahoans currently in the hospital. And we have 56 Idahoans currently in intensive care,” Hahn said. “The hospital data is again where we’re struggling, and we are very concerned about the rising number.”
The total number of patients hospitalized in the ICU “is greater than 25 per day,” she added.
“Until we see these numbers improving, we don’t feel that we can move out of stage 4.”
Stage 4 is the final phase in Idaho’s reopening from coronavirus restrictions. Under the current measures, gatherings of 50 are allowed; non-essential travel is permitted to locations that allow it and do not have ongoing transmission; nightclubs may operate with lower standing-room capacity, and large venues can operate under limited physical distancing protocols.
Idaho Gov. Brad Little said in the news conference that there is “a direct correlation between our personal actions and the capacity of our health care.”
Little urged people to consider their actions and “wear a mask. Watch your distance. Wash your hands,” he said.
“Our personal actions are free of cost, a minor sacrifice relative to the reward of keeping a loved one from getting sick, saving a life, keeping our schools open, and protecting our economic prosperity,” he added.
