Skip to main content
Support Local Journalism

The Free Press is providing free coverage of the Coronavirus pandameic, thanks to the support of subscribers and donors. You can help by subscribing or donating today.

    The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) and Central District Health (CDH) are announcing the first confirmed infection with the BA.2 sub-variant of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in Ada County.

      With the exception of north Idaho, the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) has deactivated Crisis Standards of Care (CSC) in accordance with IDAPA 16.02.09 – Crisis Standards of Care For Healthcare Entities. While the number of COVID-19 patients remains high and continues to stress …

        Governor Brad Little commented on Nov. 17 on the news that the Biden Administration, through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), announced it has suspended enforcement of the president’s vaccine mandate on private companies with 100 or more employees.

          LEWISTON – Residents will have greater opportunity to get a COVID-19 booster dose after a decision from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) last week allowing Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters, in addition to those made by Pfizer. The CDC also expanded the eligibili…

            The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare supports authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to administer booster doses of the of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. Booster do…

              Anyone who experiences COVID-19 symptoms is encouraged to get tested, and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) is offering free at-home COVID-19 tests to Idaho residents. Tests can be requested by calling 2-1-1; no personal information is required other than a name and mailing address.

              While much of the country has seen COVID-19 coronavirus case counts considerably reduced as vaccines have become widely available during recent months, Idaho County has become a stronghold for the disease, with the known active case count having climbed back into the 70s — a total that had n…

                LAPWAI - Nimiipuu Health (NMPH) has been working diligently to vaccinate patients since the vaccine became available. Recently, NMPH was able to work with the Central Public Health District to obtain doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine (Pfizer Vaccine), which is now recommended for…

                  The Department of Health and Welfare (DHW), in coordination with Gov. Brad Little, announced today that Idaho continues to thrive during the pandemic and is moving from Stage 3 to Stage 4 of the Idaho Rebounds Plan.

                    The Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) has a new funding opportunity to establish and operate mobile, off-site, walk-in and special COVID-19 vaccination clinics in underserved populations. That includes communities of high social vulnerabilities, racial and ethnic minorities and rural co…

                      BOISE – Governor Brad Little signed an executive order today banning any State of Idaho governmental entity from requiring so-called “vaccine passports” – or proof of COVID-19 vaccination for citizens to receive public services or access facilities.

                        LAPWAI -- Beginning April 1, the Nez Perce Tribe (Tribe) will change its COVID-19 response to correspond with Stage 4 of the Idaho Rebounds guidelines. As of March 26, Nimiipuu Health (NMPH) had a 14-day average of less than one positive COVID-19 case per day and a positivity rate of 4.17 percent.

                          Individuals who are 16 years of age and older are now eligible to get their COVID-19 vaccine through enrolled providers within Latah, Nez Perce, Lewis, Clearwater, and Idaho counties. According to the public health department, all previous phases are still eligible and encouraged to schedule…

                            Given the limited supply of COVID-19 vaccine that is available at this time and Idaho’s commitment to equitable and fair access to vaccine, the state of Idaho is now requiring that those seeking COVID-19 vaccines in the state should either live or work in Idaho.

                              AARP is inviting Idahoans to participate in a statewide telephone town hall meeting with Idaho President Pro Tem of the Senate Chuck Winder and Speaker of the House Scott Bedke. AARP Idaho state director Lupe Wissel will moderate the one-hour conversation and take questions from callers acro…

                                The Idaho office of AARP will host a statewide telephone town hall with Idaho Governor Brad Little and Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen on January 19. The discussion will focus on the most up-to-date information related to the ongoing pandemic including the vacci…

                                  Public Health – Idaho North Central District (PH-INCD) and enrolled vaccine providers in Clearwater, Latah, Lewis, Idaho, and Nez Perce counties continue to work closely on coordination of weekly vaccine allocations and future vaccine distribution. This week marks the fifth week of vaccine b…