COVID-19 Update: March 18, 2021

On Thursday, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported 341 new cases and 3 new deaths, bringing the statewide total to 176,802 cases and 1,938 deaths. Idaho Falls has been the nation's top hotspot for new coronavirus cases by population over the past two weeks, and Rexburg is close behind in third place, according to the New York Times coronavirus outbreak tracker. The Associated Press reported that Southwest Idaho reports an increasing number of people infected with a highly contagious variant of COVID-19, first identified in the United Kingdom. Primary Health Medical Group CEO Dr. David Peterman said 30% of positive tests on Wednesday at his facilities in southwestern Idaho were the UK variant.