Idaho's confirmed coronavirus cases jump by more than 50%

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Idaho jumped by more than 50% Thursday morning, less than 24 hours after Gov. Brad Little announced a statewide stay-at-home order.

There are now more than 138 people in 17 counties confirmed to have COVID-19 in Idaho, according to a running count kept by Johns Hopkins University. The university's tally updates more frequently than the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare's online count.

The areas with the highest concentration of cases include Blaine County, which has been Idaho's epicenter of COVID-19 infection with more than 63 cases, and Ada County, with more than 39 confirmed cases.

Little's stay-at-home order requires Idaho's 1.75 million residents to self-isolate at home unless they are healthcare workers, public safety employees or other “essential workers” such as grocery store employees.

For most people, the new 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 and death.

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This story has been updated to correct the percent increase in confirmed coronavirus cases.