The federal vaccine mandate for state employees is soon to impact Idaho universities. While the mandate progresses, local and state case numbers saw a slight decrease this week.
The Argonaut will continue with weekly updates on COVID-19 case numbers, vaccinations and more on both the district and state levels.
Gritman Medical Center
Information comes from Gritman’s weekly press releases. Updated Nov. 18 at 11:59 p.m.
Total admitted positive patients during pandemic: 156
Latah County deaths: 39
Latah County deaths since June 1: 28
Public Health – Idaho North Central District
Data used is from Public Health District 2. The local district consists of Latah, Clearwater, Idaho, Lewis and Nez Perce counties. Updated Nov. 19 at 3 p.m.
Active cases: 874
New cases (Nov. 19): 22
Cases this week (Nov. 13-19): 149
Fully vaccinated 12+: 44,876 (46%)
Deaths: 229
Statewide
Data is according to Idaho’s COVID-19 page. Updated Nov. 19 at 5 p.m.
New cases (Nov. 19): 656
Cases this week (Nov. 13-19): 3,474
Fully vaccinated 12+: 850,238 (56%)
Deaths: 3,845
Hospitalized patients: 347 (108 in ICU)
Available ICU beds (Nov. 19): 27
Additional Updates
Federal vaccine mandate looms over Idaho universities
While the Idaho State Board of Education fights the federal mandate, University of Idaho remains stuck in the middle with the Jan. 4 deadline for implementing the mandate nearing. UI could lose $22 million in contracts if the university does not comply.
Faculty Senate on vaccine and mask mandates
At Tuesday’s meeting, UI Provost and Executive Vice President Torrey Lawrence said that the university would be ready to proceed with the federal vaccine mandate if needed, but this could change as the case against the mandate progresses.
Senators also expressed concerns over the lack of masks worn at UI sporting events.
Haadiya Tariq can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @haadiyatariq