COVID-19 Update July 17, 2020 12:00 pm

Eastern Idaho Public Health’s Board Passes Regional COVID-19 Response Plan; Order for Mandatory Face Coverings and Other Restrictions in Teton County, ID Issued

Eastern Idaho Public Health District (EIPH) has issued a new Regional Response Plan for Bonneville, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, and Teton Counties. The Plan outlines risk levels starting with a green or Minimal Risk level and escalating towards the red or Critical Risk level. Each level has its own metrics and mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in the region. Different parts of EIPH’s service area may be at different risk levels at any one time.

EIPH has determined that Teton County has escalated to the Yellow or Moderate Risk level and has issued an order for the County. This order is in effect starting Thursday, July 16, 2020 and goes for 14 days at which time the risk level for Teton County will be re-assessed. The complete text of the order can be viewed here.

ORDER FOR TETON COUNTY:

● Every person in Teton County is required to wear a face covering that completely covers the person’s nose and mouth when the person is in a public place and other non-household members are present and physical distancing of 6 feet cannot be maintained.

● Social gatherings and events, both public and private, of more than 150 are prohibited.

Facial coverings are not required to be worn under the following circumstances:

● Children under the age of 2. ● Persons with a medical condition, mental health conditions, or a disability that prevent them from wearing a

face covering. A person is not required to provide documentation demonstrating that the person cannot tolerate wearing a face covering.

● Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing, or communicating with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing, where the ability to see the mouth is essential for communication.

● Persons, including on-duty law enforcement officers, for whom wearing a face covering would create a risk to the person related to their work, as determined by local, state, or federal regulators or workplace safety guidelines.

● Persons who are obtaining a service involving the nose, face, or head for which temporary removal of the face covering is necessary to perform the service.

● Persons who are eating or drinking at a restaurant or other establishment that offers food or beverage service, so long as they are seated at a table and able to maintain a distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household or party as the person. This exemption does NOT apply to entry, exit, or other movement throughout the facility.

Press Release – For Immediate Release

CURRENT REGIONAL CASE COUNTS The recent rapid increase in COVID-19 cases across our region continues.

● Teton County recorded one new confirmed case yesterday, a male in his 30s, with the source of exposure identified as community transmission. That is the eighth case identified in the County in the last seven days. Teton County currently has a cumulative total of 40 cases since the pandemic began, 15 of which are currently active.

● On July 16, Eastern Idaho Public Health District (including Bonneville, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, and Teton counties) reported 19 new confirmed and 5 probable cases.

● On Wednesday, July 15, the state of Idaho hit a new record of 727 cases (691 confirmed, 36 probable) in one day. On Thursday, July 16, 688 cases were recorded (658 confirmed, 30 probable).

● On Thursday, July 16, Teton County, WY broke their previous record for the most cases in a day with a total of 11, their previous record was 9.

PLEASE DO YOUR PART The current surge of COVID-19 cases in Idaho and our local community is real, and a spike in hospitalizations may soon follow. EIPH’s mandatory mask order and restriction on large gatherings is a preventative measure meant to avoid further case increases and allow schools to open and businesses to stay open. Please wear a mask in enclosed or busy public places, maintain social distancing and continue washing your hands frequently.

Preserving our health, and saving our local economy, is in our own hands. Do the right thing and stay healthy!

TETON VALLEY HEALTH (TVH) Keith Gnagey, CEO of TVH, indicated this week that the results from more than 30 COVID-19 tests are still pending. Increased testing demand in Idaho has created a backlog extending two weeks and TVH is actively working to find another external laboratory with shorter turnaround time on testing. Gnagey said the local supply of rapid tests is being reserved for symptomatic priority patients and cases where getting a rapid outcome will affect the course of treatment provided or help to determine a cluster of cases.

TREC / CHAMBER OF COMMERCE As COVID case counts rise in Teton Valley, TREC/Chamber of Commerce continues to support businesses as they implement health directives, and in educating residents and customers. Visit TREC’s website to view and download the most recent education materials http://discovertetonvalley.com/resources-for-business/

Driggs and Victor Provide Masks for Businesses The Cities of Driggs and Victor have boxes of free masks available to businesses. If you would like a box so that you can hand out free masks to your customers, please stop by the respective City Halls to pick up a supply.

Silver Star Offers Masks To support community human and business health, Silver Star Communications is offering free cloth masks to businesses. Please go to their website for ordering info: http://www.silverstar.com/masks/