IDAHO – After Governor Little announced recently that Idaho’s COVID-19 pandemic response would change from a statewide approach to a regional approach, Eastern Idaho Public Health’s (EIPH) Administration and Board of Health (BOH) have been discussing what that response would look like for our eight-county region. On Tuesday, July 14, the BOH approved the COVID-19 Regional Response Plan. This plan covers the following counties: Bonneville, Clark, Custer, Fremont, Jefferson, Lemhi, Madison, and Teton.
The Plan is stratified by 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 our communities. Different parts of EIPH’s region may be at different risk levels at any one time. In the Minimal Risk level, everyone is strongly encouraged to practice the everyday preventive measures to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. This includes staying home if you’re sick, physical distancing, washing hands frequently, and wearing face coverings in public when physical distancing is not possible.
“If each and everyone one of us would start doing these things now, it could help us from having to progress into higher risk levels. No one wants another shut down of our businesses and economy, so the EIPH Board of Health asks for everyone’s support in this effort,” stated Bryon Reed, EIPH Board of Health Chairman.
When a location within the district advances to a higher level, the BOH convenes to determine which mitigation strategies need to be enacted to protect the health of the community. Currently, all counties in EIPH’s region are in the green or Minimal Risk level except Teton County. This evening, the BOH 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.
Under the Order: Social gatherings and events, both public and private, of more than 150 are prohibited. Also, 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.