COVID-19 Update: February 18, 2022

On Tuesday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare deactivated crisis standards of care for hospitals in three of Idaho’s seven public health districts. The department had activated crisis standards of care on Jan. 15 due to a shortage of healthcare workers and blood supply. The department did warn that the test positivity rate is still much higher than what is safe and hospitals are still stressed. The statewide test positivity rate Thursday was at 17%, down from last week’s 25.1%. The state’s goal is to keep the rate at 5% or less. Canyon County still has the highest number of new coronavirus infections in the state, followed by Ada, Kootenai, Twin Falls and Bannock counties. The Department Health and Welfare continues to recommend that Idahoans get vaccinated and boosted, wear a mask in public places, and stay home if you feel sick. Visit coronavirus.idaho.gov for more information.