Governor Brad Little: Two more weeks of COVID-19 Stage 4

Governor Brad Little announced for the sixth time that Idaho is not yet ready to advance out of Stage 4 of the Idaho Rebounds program at a Sept. 3 press conference. During Stage 4 for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, Idaho’s business venues are open and operating and large gatherings are permitted while following the state’s social distancing, face mask and sanitation recommendations. Idaho has been stalled in Stage 4 since June 13.

Little had a straightforward explanation for staying in Stage 4: “After reviewing the data over the last two weeks, we will keep Idaho in Stage 4 for another two weeks because the number of overall COVID hospitalizations statewide is still too high.”

The Governor also addressed the need for Idaho residents to get a flu shot this year to prevent the possible overburdening of the state’s hospitals if COVID-19 and influenza cases spikes at the same time during flu season.

Little thanked the legislature for its work at the special session during the last week of August. He also thanked the state police for a good job maintaining peace in the statehouse despite being confronted with disruptive members of the public. He acknowledged that the current situation with the pandemic was not ideal.

“I recognize the tension out there and I don’t only understand the frustration, but I share it,” Little stated. “It has been a great challenge to balance all the public’s expectations during this pandemic. But time and time again, we have stuck the facts and the science in our response to the coronavirus. Today, close to half a million Idaho adults are considered at risk for developing a severe complication from the coronavirus. That’s more than one third of our adult population.”

Little added: “A woman in Rupert at the AARP tele-town hall on Tuesday said something to the extent that ‘I’m over 70 with diabetes and I’m getting tired of people acting like my life doesn’t matter.’ The number of Idahoans doing the right thing far exceeds the people of Idaho who are skeptical of the pandemic. I assured the woman that our coronavirus response prioritizes protecting her and the one-third of Idahoans like her with underlying health conditions.”

Idaho State Epidemiologist Christine Hahn also spoke at the press conference to review the state’s metrics and criteria for advancing out of Stage 4.

“We’re looking pretty much like we did two weeks ago,” Hahn began. “Our case rates have been declining now for several weeks and … the percentage of tests that are positive are declining. We’re now just over 8% (of tests as) positive. It’s not where we need to be. We’re not feeling secure and safe. As the governor mentioned, we know that flu season is coming with more people coming indoors.”

Hahn added: “With the Labor Day weekend approaching, we are concerned that people will be gathering together more so that there will be more chances for (COVID-19) transmission. We’re very concerned whether we will be able to keep going in the downward trends, but for now we’re very encouraged by these numbers.”