COVID-19 Update: September 24, 2021

COVID-related hospitalizations in Idaho continue to reach record highs, with 760 patients hospitalized on Monday and more than 200 in the ICU. Additionally, more Idaho patients were ventilated this week than at any previous point in the pandemic, according to Idaho Department of Health and Welfare director Dave Jeppesen. Dr. Jim Souza, chief physician executive at St. Luke’s Health System, said patients in the St. Luke’s ICU have a higher mortality rate than during the December surge, with 43 percent dying after being admitted. Idaho has once again added more than 100 newly recorded deaths in the last week, including multiple people in their 20s, 30s and 40s. The areas of the state with the highest seven-day rolling average case rates are north central, Magic Valley, and east central Idaho. On Wednesday, Idaho Reports toured the Saint Alphonsus ICU in Boise, as well as the emergency department, trauma center, and Life Flight center. See our full coverage online and watch the episode at idahoptv.org/idahoreports.