Idaho’s confirmed cases of coronavirus increased to 230 cases statewide on Friday.
CBS2 reports the fourth confirmed death from coronavirus was reported Friday in Nez Perce County from the Pubic Health – Idaho North Central District.
Friday, coronavirus.Idaho.gov, reported 230 cases in the state’s seven health districts.
Panhandle Health District reports 11; Public Health – Idaho North Central District reports five; Southwest District Health reports 24; Central District Health reports 76; South Central Public Health District reports 101; Southeastern Idaho Public Health reports five; Eastern Idaho Public Health reports 8.
The state’s hot spot continues to be Blaine County — where 98 cases have been reported while the more populous Ada County has 75.
Three deaths were reported on Thursday (two in Blaine County and one in Canyon County) and a fourth death was reported in Nez Perce County on Friday.
On Friday, Governor Little signed new executive orders to help navigate through the pandemic. The orders will help manage the state budget and help the thousands of newly unemployed Idahoans.
“The number of unemployed in Idaho jumped 1,200-percent in a matter of days,” Governor Little said Friday. “These actions help people get the financial help they need as quickly as possible and provide more flexibility for businesses impacted by the sudden change in our economy in recent weeks.”
A New Idaho COVID-19 Hotline will be rolled out Monday for Idahoans to call with questions about COVID-19 or the Statewide Stay-Home Order. The number, 1-888-330-3010, will be staffed Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“I am also using my executive authority to make $39.3 million available to aid in our state’s response to coronavirus,” Governor Little added. “I want to assure Idahoans that, although the state budget will be impacted, we have a plan to meet our constitutional requirement for a balanced state budget without having to raise taxes.”
He’s also reducing the state’s general budget by 1%, which works out to be roughly $40 million.
“The coronavirus situation has not only affected our daily lives and personal finances, but the state’s finances as well. While the impact of the pandemic on state revenue collection is yet unknown, it is going to have a significant impact and we must do everything we can to ensure the state is positioned for long-term success,” Governor Little said
Gem County also announced Friday its first COVID-19 confirmed case. According to the Southwest District Health the case was found in a male in his 20s in Gem County.
Executive Order 2020-06 will direct the transfer of $39.3 million to the Disaster Emergency Account, the maximum allowable amount under the law.
The Governor’s executive order makes money available for the quick purchase of personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, ventilators, rapid test kits, lab supplies, hospital beds and other critical needs. Although the new federal funds are likely to cover the expenses, the Governor’s action ensures Idaho does not have to wait on critical supplies.
Also, Governor Little signed Executive Order 2020-05 to reduce non-coronavirus related General Fund spending in the fiscal year by 1-percent, which will save approximately $40 million statewide.
Governor Little also signed a proclamation to help Idahoans who are temporarily unable to work through no fault of their own because of illness, quarantines, layoff or reduction of work related to coronavirus.
For unemployment insurance claimants, the proclamation does the following things:
- Waives the one-week waiting period for all applicants who are otherwise eligible.
- Makes it easier for claimants to be considered as job-attached if they have been laid off due to COVID-19 related reasons. An employer must provide reasonable assurance of a return to work and the claimant must be able and available for suitable work.
- Considers claimants have met the available-for-work criteria if they are isolated and unavailable to work at the request of a medical professional, their employer, or their local health district and they will be returning to their employer.
- Provides parties an additional 14 days to appeal claims decisions beyond the normal 14 days.
For employers:
- Businesses who pay a quarterly unemployment tax will not be charged when employees are laid off due to coronavirus.
- Parties will be given an additional 14 days to appeal claims decisions beyond the normal 14 days.
