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Live Idaho coronavirus updates: 27 cases in Kootenai Co., at least 273 statewide

New confirmed Idaho cases, school closures, building closures and resources to help are announced every day.

The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, continues to spread in Idaho amid a worldwide pandemic. 

New confirmed Idaho cases, school closures, building closures and resources to help are announced every day.

We're tracking all the developments with this real-time blog. The newest information will be added at the top with a timestamp. 

Facts:

(Scroll down for the latest news updates.)

Sunday, March 29

11:09 a.m. The Panhandle Health District (PHD) and Kootenai Health have confirmed twelve additional cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), bringing the total number of cases to 27 in the Panhandle area. 

The cases are in Kootenai County and the first case was confirmed in Bonner County. The Panhandle area includes the five northern counties (Kootenai, Shoshone, Benewah, Bonner, and Boundary). 

The latest case is a man in his 60s from Bonner County. Contact tracing is ongoing.

PHD will plan to make a daily announcement if there are confirmed cases within the Panhandle at noon Monday thru Friday.

10:47 a.m.: Bonner County announces its first coronavirus case.

Bonner County Emergency Operations Center has been informed by the Panhandle Health District 1 (PHD1) of the first confirmed case in Bonner County. The patient is a man in his 60s who is self-isolating at home. 

This case appears to be acquired through community transmission. Contact tracing is ongoing by PHD1.

Friday, March 27

4:20 p.m. - Idaho Department of Health and Welfare announces COVID-19 hotline

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) has announced a new toll-free number for Idaho residents to call with questions about COVID-19 or the statewide stay-at-home order. The number, 1-888-330-3010, will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. It will be in service beginning Monday, March 30.

12:02 p.m. - The Panhandle Health District and Kootenai Health confirm another cases in Kootenai County, bringing total to 11 in the Panhandle area.

The newest cases is a man in his 70s from Kootenai County. He is self-isolating at home. The case appears to be travel related.  

11:50 a.m. - Little signs executive orders related to coronavirus funding

Gov. Brad Little signed two executive orders Friday aimed at increasing the funding Idaho has available to fight coronavirus.

The first order moves $39.3 million from the tax relief fund to a state emergency fund, making that money more accessible to use for buying more test kits, lab supplies, personal protective equipment, and hazard pay for "essential services" like childcare, Little said.

A federal COVID-19 relief package is expected to send at least $1.25 billion to Idaho, according to the governor, but moving money around at the state level now means that Idaho does not have to wait to pay for necessary items, the governor said.

In a second executive order, Little asked all state agencies to reduce their spending for the year by one percent. Healthcare agencies are exempted from the order.

Little said he did not anticipate any layoffs of state employees or reduction in services as a result of the cutbacks. 

9:05 a.m. - Idaho coronavirus cases top 200

The South Central Health District is reporting additional confirmed positive coronavirus cases Friday morning, bringing the state total to 201. The new cases are in Blaine County, which has been hit the hardest by COVID-19, and in Twin Falls County.

See earlier updates from March 20-26

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