EIPH Issues Order of Restriction for Teton County

As a result of a sustained increase in active cases of COVID-19 in Teton County over the past nine days, at its meeting this morning, Eastern Idaho Public Health’s (EIPH) Board of Health passed an Order of Restriction for Teton County that requires the use of face covering by individuals when in public places when physical distancing cannot be maintained as well as limits the size of gatherings/events (both public and private) based on the available space at the venue to allow for physical distancing. A copy of the order is attached. As outlined in the order, Teton County and each city within must promptly provide copies of the Order as follows: (1) by posting the Order on its website (2) by posting the Order at the county courthouse and each city hall, and (3) by providing a copy to any member of the public requesting it. The Order will also be posted on the website of Eastern Idaho Public Health (www.EIPH.Idaho.gov).

A copy of the order is attached. I recognize that since there are already similar city- and county-specific orders in place, that this additional order from EIPH may cause confusion for your residents. If there is anything that you would like us at EIPH to do to help with messaging in your community, please let me know.

Over the past few weeks, the number of cases of COVID-19 has risen significantly throughout Eastern Idaho Public Health’s region. Representatives from regional hospitals in the health district report being concerned about resources, noting that COVID patients often require a longer stay and more staff resources to care for them. We have not yet seen an increase in hospitalizations related to the recent increase in cases; however, hospitalizations often don’t occur for some weeks following illness onset. To hear more, you can view today’s EIPH Board of Health meeting here: https://youtu.be/Mb_XLyeGV0s.

The EIPH Board of Health will meet again next Thursday, October 8, to re-evaluate its Regional Response Plan. Unless changes are made to the plan, this Order will be in place for a minimum of 14 days. In order for the EIPH Board to consider rescinding the order after the 14-day period, the County’s active rate of cases must be below the threshold of 10/10,000 for the most recent consecutive 7-day period. It is our desire that everyone will do their part to practice the simple mitigation strategies to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This is important to do all we can to keep our kids in school, our businesses continuing to function as normally as possible, and to maintain our healthcare capacity for our region.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Working together, we can slow the spread of COVID-19 with simple mitigation strategies while at the same time allowing us all to live our lives as normally as possible during these unprecedented times.