STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
COVID GRAPHS BY PAUL RIES
The Idaho Office of Emergency Management has established a COVID Help Now Line to offer statewide support for anyone facing challenges associated with the coronavirus pandemic.
COVID Help Now responders are trained crisis counselors who will help callers assess their current situation and provide coping mechanisms to reduce stress. They will also connect callers with resources in their communities. The COVID Help Now Line is anonymous. Reponders do not diagnose people and no case records are taken.
Responders are available via phone or text. Callers may also leave a message during off-hours and receive a return call the following day.
The COVID Help Now line is staffed form 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week and can be reached by calling or texting 986-867-1073 or calling toll free 866-947-5186.
Those seeking help may also visit www.ioem.idaho.gov/covidhelpnow.
IDAHO SEES RECORD NUMBER OF DEATHS
Idaho reported a record 16 deaths from the coronavirus on Wednesday. Seven occurred in Ada, three in Canyon, two in Minidoka and one in Bonneville, Cassia, Fremont and Shoshone counties. One was the second Idahoan in their 30s to die of the virus.
The state has lost 406 of its citizens to coronavirus since mid-March.
Idaho also reported 329 new cases on Wednesday, the most in the past two weeks. The statewide total is now 34,310.
Blaine County now has 608 cases—four new ones since Sunday.
PINE FIRE GROWS
The Grouse Fire is now at 5,700 acres and zero percent contained. Fortunately, the fire is expected to move to the east away from the Pine and Featherville area. The fire, six miles northeast of Pine, is under investigation but, earlier, officials said they thought it was human caused.
Ninety-nine firefighters are building lines, while aircraft are supporting ground efforts. Winds on Wednesday were five to 10 miles per hour with gusts up to 17 miles per hour.
Meanwhile the Woodhead Fire near Cambridge has grown to 27,000 acres, its extreme fire behavior prompting numerous evacuations in the area.