COVID-19 Update: March 4, 2022

In a sign of good news, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported Thursday that the statewide test positivity rate had dropped to 6.2%, down from last week’s 10%, nearly meeting the goal of keeping the rate below 5%. The state’s all-time high was nearly 38% in January. The number of available ICU beds statewide has also increased. On Thursday, there were 48 available ICU beds in Idaho. Back on Feb. 24 there were just 10 available ICU beds. Gov. Brad Little told the Idaho Press Club this week that he hopes to end the state’s emergency disaster declaration soon, but Idaho still needs the federal emergency resources that assist with health care staff and other labor shortages. As of Friday, the declaration was still active. But, the Idaho Legislature is trying to shut it down through a concurrent resolution, but some lawmakers are concerned it would jeopardize needed federal emergency funding. For more on that, visit the Idaho Reports blog at idahoptv.org/idahoreports