Key Facts:
- There have been 362 coronavirus cases and 22 deaths in Spokane County. There are 10 people currently hospitalized.
- There have been 65 cases in North Idaho, 61 in Kootenai County and four in Bonner County. No deaths in North Idaho have been reported.
- TOTAL: 801 deaths and 14,070 overall cases in Washington.
- TOTAL: 1,834 confirmed cases and 60 deaths in Idaho.
- Idaho Governor Brad Little is announcing plans to reopen Idaho in phases during an 11 a.m. press conference.
- Washington's stay at home order will last past its original end date of May 4.
Saturday, May 2
The Spokane Regional Health District has confirmed five new cases of the coronavirus in Spokane County, brigning the total to 367 total cases.There have been 22 coronavirus-related deaths. 10 people remain hospitalized and a total of 65 people have been hospitalized since the outbreak began.
Of the cases in Spokane County, 64.5% of them have recovered.
Thursday, April 30
Gov. Inslee to speak Friday afternoon
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee is scheduled to speak Friday at 2:30 p.m. An announcement is expected on the gradual reopening of Washington state.
On Wednesday, Inslee announced Washington's "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" orders would extend past May 4, but he did not provide a date of reopening. Some industries like certain construction projects, elective surgeries, fishing and golfing are allowed to resume soon, with modifications.
The governor said that he would announce "the next phase" of reopening Washington state during Friday's announcement.
An official agenda of the governor's announcement has not been released.
Six positive cases at Spokane Veterans Homes
The Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs announced that six veterans tested positive for coronavirus after the home re-tested all 47 residents still in the facility.
According to the DVA, the 41 residents tested negative while six tested positive. The residents who tested positive have been moved to the same area of the building.
Nineteen staff members also tested positive, but were asymptomatic at the time of testing, according to the release.
Cannon Street shelter shutdown leads to 110 evicted; police clear camp in Browne's Addition park
Jewels Helping Hands, who ran the Cannon Street Warming Center, saw their contract end with the City of Spokane, which led to 110 homeless residents being evicted on Thursday.
After this, a homeless camp was formed in Coeur d'Alene Park in Browne's Addition, which police eventually cleared.
Buses then drove people from the camp to the Downtown Public Library, which the Guardians Foundation is staffing and setting up to house 55 people.
For full coverage on the closure of the Cannon Street Warming Center, click here.
Thousands of COVID-19 tests on the way to Washington
Gov. Jay Inslee says Washington will receive more than 500,000 coronavirus test swabs a month in May and June as part of a new federal effort.
“This federal support is an important and welcome step toward a safe and responsible return to public life,” Inslee said in a statement.
The White House and officials with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services told Inslee they will “immediately begin shipping large quantities” of testing supplies with weekly distributions for the next two months.
The shipments are made possible by invoking the Defense Production Act to increase domestic production of test kits.
North Idaho College to reopen parks, beaches
North Idaho College announced on Thursday that it will lift closures on all beach and campus parks on May 1 in accordance to Governor Brad Little's "Rebound Plan for Idaho."
NIC also said it still "encourages social distancing and proactive steps individuals can take to help limit the spread of COVID-19."
Spokane-area golf courses, fishing, trails open on May 5
At a press conference on Thursday, Spokane County officials discussed what golf courses, fishing and trails will look like starting on May 5 as Washington allows some more outdoor activities to open.
County leaders stressed social distancing is still required at all outdoor activities, and people can still only congregate with members of their own household.
Golf courses have the most restrictions compared to how they would normally operate. Restaurants will only be open for takeout and most have plexiglass barriers in place to protect employees. Golfers are also encouraged to enjoy their games but leave as soon as they are over. Signs about social distancing will be in place in parking lots, clubhouses and elsewhere.
Even with that, tee times at most courses are already filling up.
Idaho begins first stage of reopening on Friday
Idaho Gov. Brad Little says phase one of the plan to reopen Idaho is set to begin on Friday, May 1. The current statewide stay-home order expires at midnight on Thursday.
Places of worship, daycares and organized youth activities can reopen if they follow social distancing protocols.
Cases surpass 3.2 million worldwide
There were more than 1,040,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the United States around 5:15 a.m. EDT Thursday, according to Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. death toll is almost 61,000, while over 124,000 people have recovered. Beyond 6 million tests for COVID-19 have been performed in the U.S.
Worldwide, there have been more than 3.2 million cases with 227,000 deaths and 970,000 recoveries.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.