Care rationing plans deactivated at northern Idaho hospitals

By KEITH RIDLER
Associated Press

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — State health officials have deactivated crisis guidelines for rationing care at northern Idaho hospitals as COVID-19 cases have dropped. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare said Monday that the number of COVID-19 patients remains high but no longer exceeds available health care resources. The crisis standards for the state’s five most northern counties had been in place since Sept. 7. Health and Welfare Director Dave Jeppesen says the situation remains precarious because of the omicron variant that appeared in Idaho last week. Jeppesen says getting vaccinated, getting booster doses and wearing masks in crowded areas could help prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed again.