Idaho recently passed a grim, sad pandemic milestone. More than 5,000 Idaho residents have now died from COVID-19 related factors.
Let’s take a look at the demographics for those 5,017 deaths, which amounts to 274.6 deaths for every 100,000 Idahoans.
More men have died from COVID-19 related factors than women. Dads, brothers, husbands, uncles, and grandfathers make up 58.3 percent of all the COVID-19 related deaths, while moms, sisters, wives, aunts, and grandmothers make up 41.7 percent.
More than half of the Idahoans who have died were younger than 80, including two younger than 18; 21 who were in the 18-29 age group; 64 in the 30-39 age group; and 186 in the 40-49 age group.
Most Idahoans who died from COVID-19 related factors were white, at almost 95 percent of the COVID-19 related deaths in Idaho.
Smaller, more rural counties are hit hardest by COVID-19 related deaths. Lewis County has the highest rate of COVID-19 related deaths, at 781.7 deaths for every 100,000 people.
We seem to have hit a plateau in terms of the number of COVID-19 cases in Idaho. But there’s still a lot of disease in the state. While most people have only mild symptoms, the disease can be deadly for many. It is still important to limit your chances of getting COVID-19 by following the recommended precautions, not just for yourself, but the people around you.
We know what works to limit the spread of the disease:
- Get vaccinated and boosted. This is still the best way to protect yourself and loved ones from getting very sick or even dying.
- Wear a mask in crowded places.
- Stay home and get tested if you feel sick.
- Stay six feet apart in public.
- Stay informed.
Elke Shaw-Tulloch is the administrator of the Division of Public Health, and the state’s public health officer. She has worked for the department since 1996 and was promoted to division administrator in 2012. Since February 2020, she has focused most of her time on responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID-19 resources:
- Idaho’s Coronavirus website
- CDC COVID-19 website
- Masks are available for Idahoans: KN95 masks (one pack of 10 per household) are available for free at various locations around the state. Call the Idaho CareLine by dialing 2-1-1 or 800-926-2588 or your local public health district to find a location near you. https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/health-wellness/community-health/public-health-districts
- Free, at-home COVID-19 tests are available from the federal government at covidtests.gov. Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free, at-home COVID-19 tests. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.
- Find COVID-19 and flu vaccines/boosters near you: Use vaccines.gov to find a location near you, then call or visit their website to make an appointment.
Follow the Department of Health and Welfare on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates and information you can trust.
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is dedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. Learn more at healthandwelfare.idaho.gov.
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