The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was first discovered in Wuhan, China in December of 2019, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The situation has now been announced by the WHO as a pandemic.
With increased panic as the Palouse prepares for possible impact due to the disease there is a lot of information going around right now surrounding coronavirus and its impact on the community.
To help readers understand The Argonaut has created a comprehensive timeline for the coronavirus and our coverage of it on the University of Idaho campus.
*This timeline will be updated as more information becomes available. For more information on coronavirus coverage visit our website. If you have any questions or information please email [email protected] or send it in via our anonymous tipline.
(This page has been updated as of 12:37 a.m. June 5)
May 25 – May 31
Idaho has a total of 2,579 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. There have been 78 deaths. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
As Idaho stands poised to enter Stage Three of reopening, local bars prepare to open at what could be 50% capacity. For the full story click here.
Gov. Brad Little announced Idaho will move to stage three of the Idaho Rebounds program in a press conference. For the full story click here.
The South Central Public Health District confirmed community spread of COVID-19 in Cassia county on Tuesday, according to a press release from the health district. For the full story click here.
May 17 – May 24
According to an email from President C. Scott Green, UI’s campus will hold in-person courses on Aug. 24 for the fall semester through there will be safety measures put in place. For the full story click here.
Latah County has confirmed its sixth case of COVID-19 according to Public Health Idaho North Central District’s website.
Benewah County confirmed its first case of COVID-19 today, according to Panhandle Health District. This is the third county in their health district to have confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Brad Little hosted a press conference Friday about Idaho’s new COVID-19 testing methods. For the full story click here.
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how Moscow police interact with the public and other officers. Some changes are here to stay during Idaho’s reopening. For the full story click here.
May 16
Summer course which began May 18 will be mostly online with the possibility that some later in the semester could be in-person. For the full story click here.
May 15
The South Central Public Health District confirmed community spread of COVID-19 in Minidoka County. For the full story, click here.
May 14
Idaho has a total of 2,073 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
May 13
Idaho has a total of 2,073 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
May 12
Idaho has a total of 2,073 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
May 11
Idaho has a total of 2,055 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
May 10
Idaho has a total of 2,055 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
May 9
Idaho has a total of 2,055 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
May 8
Idaho has a total of 2,055 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
May 7
Idaho has a total of 2,008 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. There have been 64 deaths. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
May 6
The University of Idaho has finalized its decision on how students will receive CARES Act funding, according to an email from President C. Scott Green. For the full story click here.
May 5
Idaho has a total of 1,949 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
May 4
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a strain on healthcare services globally, so several teams at the University of Idaho have been creating PPE. For the full story click here.
May 3
Idaho has a total of 1,923 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
May 2
The University of Idaho will receive $6.9 million through the CARES Act Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund-IHE/Student Aid and half of it, $3,452,648, is to be given to students. For the full story click here.
May 1
Gov. Brad Little announced in a press conference Thursday, Idaho will move to stage one of the Idaho Rebounds plan starting May 1. For the full story click here.
April 30
As public colleges brace for fiscal trouble caused by the COVID-19 crisis, some are attempting to lessen the blow to lower-earning employees by giving them shorter furloughs than higher-paid staff is receiving. For the full story click here.
City council unanimously passed a resolution to terminate Moscow’s two emergency orders, which prohibit mass gatherings of more than 10 people.
April 29
Idaho has a total of 1,831 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
April 28
Idaho has a total of 1,772 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. There have been 60 deaths. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
April 27
Idaho has a total of 1,753 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. There have been 54 deaths. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
April 26
Idaho has a total of 1,753 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
April 25
Idaho has a total of 1,753 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
April 24
Lemhi County confirmed its first case of COVID-19, according to Eastern Idaho Public Health District’s (EIPH) website. Her source of exposure is community spread.
April 23
Gov. Brad Little announced a plan to reopen Idaho, during a press conference Thursday. He said if criteria for each stage are met in the estimated timeline, Idaho should be back to “somewhat normal” by June 26. For the full story click here.
April 22
Idaho has a total of 1,702 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. There have been 54 deaths. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
April 21
Idaho has a total of 1,770 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
One size does not fill all was the tone at Monday night’s Liberate Moscow protest, where over 100 people gathered at City Hall to protest Gov. Brad Little’s stay-at-home order and Moscow’s City Council. For the full story click here.
April 20
Both Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington and Gov. Brad Little of Idaho listed those involved in the sale of liquor — and in Washington, cannabis — as essential workers. For the full story click here.
Central District Health confirmed the first COVID-19 death in Elmore County.
The Moscow Farmer’s Market has been postponed and is now set to reopen June 6. The market was previously set to begin the first week in May.
For the first time amid COVID-19, none of the council members are physically present in the city hall chambers.
April 19
Idaho has a total of 1,577 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. There have been 44 deaths. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
Liberate Moscow, a protest against Moscow’s City Council and the state of Idaho’s stay-at-home order, will be held at 6:15 p.m. Monday at the Moscow City Hall sidewalk. For the full story click here.
April 18
More than 30 people showed up to voice their disapproval with Idaho Gov. Brad Little’s stay-home order at Fridays protest at the Nez Perce County Courthouse building in Lewiston. For the full story click here.
April 17
Idaho has a total of 1,566 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
April 16
Idaho has a total of 1,531 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
BREAKING: Jerome County confirmed its first community spread case of COVID-19, according to South Central Public Health District .
April 15
Idaho has a total of 1,508 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
Gov. Brad Little extended the stay-at-home order until April 30 in a press conference. For the full story click here.
The Department of Health and Welfare reported Sunday there was a case of COVID-19 in Boundary County, there is not. For the full story click here.
Vandal Entertainment has canceled future events for the Spring 2020 semester due to recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at the University of Idaho. For the full story click here.
Idaho North Central District confirmed a total of 10 deaths in Nez Perce County.
April 14
Idaho has a total of 1,465 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
A Boise nursing home resident has died due to COVID-19, according to a Central District Health (CDH) news release. For the full story click here.
April 13
Idaho has a total of 1,453 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. There has been 33 deaths. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
April 12
Idaho has a total of 1,426 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
April 11
Idaho has a total of 1,408 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has created a tool to help people self-check for COVID-19. For the full story click here.
April 10
Idaho has a total of 1,399 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
President C. Scott Green said in a university-wide email, the University of Idaho is projected to lose more than $7 million through June 30 due to COVID-19. For the full story click here.
April 9
Idaho has a total of 1,353 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state and 24 deaths. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
April 8
Idaho has a total of 1,260 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state and 19 deaths. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
Latah County confirmed their third case of COVID-19 according to Idaho North Central District.
Blaine County confirmed a new COVID-19 related death, according to Idaho’s COVID-19 website.
Ada County confirmed three additional COVID-19 related deaths, according to Central District Health’s website.
Jerome County confirmed its first COVID-19 related death, according to a press release from South Central Public Health District.
April 7
Idaho has a total of 1,260 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state and 19 deaths. Click here to see the comprehensive case page.
April 6
Idaho has a total of 891 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the documented case page.
April 5
Latah County confirmed their second case of COVID-19.
April 4
Caribou County confirmed its first case of COVID-19, according to a press release from Southeastern Idaho Public Health. For the full story click here.
Bonneville County confirmed community spread of COVID-19, according to a press release from Eastern Idaho Health District. For the full story click here.
April 3
South Central Public Health District confirmed the first COVID-19 death in Twin Falls County.
April 2
Idaho has a total of 891 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the documented case page.
Bonneville County confirmed community spread of COVID-19, according to a press release from Eastern Idaho Health District.
Twin Falls County confirmed community spread of COVID-19 according to South Central Public Health.
Lewis and Washington County both confirmed their first cases of COVID-19, according to Southwest District Health and North Central District Health.
April 1
Idaho has a total of 666 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the state. There have been eight deaths. Click here to see the documented case page.
The University of Idaho has an additional three COVID-19 cases tied to it announced by President C. Scott Green. For the full story click here.
Latah county confirm the first case of COVID-19 according to North Central Health District. For the full story click here.
An 18-year-old University of Idaho student who moved out of the residence halls on Sunday has a confirmed case of COVID-19 in Canyon County.
Elmore, Teton and Jefferson County both confirmed a community spread of COVID-19, according to Central District Health and Eastern Idaho Public Health.
Gooding County has confirmed its first case of COVID-19, according to South Central Public Health District.
March 31
Idaho has a total of 524 cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the documented case page.
Adams and Camas County both confirmed their first cases of COVID-19.
March 30
Idaho has a total of 342 cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the documented case page.
According to a press release from North Central Public Health District, Nez Perce County confirmed five new cases of COVID-19. For the full story click here.
The University of Idaho confirmed one of the Nez Perce County COVID-18 cases is a UI employee. For the full story click here.
Elmore County confirmed their first case of COVID-19 according to Central District Health.
March 29
Idaho has a total of 282 cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the documented case page.
A Panhandle District Health press release has confirmed a community spread of COVID-19 in Kootenai County. For the full story click here.
Bonner County and Owyhee County both confirmed their first case of COIVD-19, according to Panhandle District Health.
March 28
Idaho has a total of 253 cases of coronavirus in the state. There have been six deaths. Click here to see the documented case page.
Central District Health confirmed a second death of COVID-19 in Ada County.
March 27
Idaho has a total of 232 cases of coronavirus in the state. There have been four deaths. Click here to see the documented case page.
The University of Idaho is now allowing students to opt into a Pass/Fail grading system for spring 2020. For the full story click here.
The Moscow Police Department will not stop people to confirm they are complying with Gov. Brad Little’s statewide stay-at-home order. For the full story click here.
Lincoln County confirmed it’s first case of COVID-19, according to South Central Public Health District.
Bonneville County confirmed its first case of COVID-19, according to Eastern Idaho Public Health and Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
March 26
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare confirms first COVID-19 deaths in Idaho. For the full story click here.
The Moscow City Council called an emergency meeting to extend Public Health Emergency Order No. 20-02. For the full story click here.
March 25
Idaho has a total of 137 cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the documented case page.
Gov. Brad Little issues a stay-at-home order statewide during a press conference. For the full main takeaways click here.
President C. Scott Green sent out an email closing all non-essential building on campus, but students will be allowed to stay. For the full story click here.
Only three Vandal Food Pantries will be available on campus due to coronavirus concerns. For the full story click here.
The first confirmed case of Nez Perce County by Idaho North Central Health. For the full story click here.
Eastern Idaho Public Health confirm their first cases of coronavirus in Fremont and Custer County.
March 24
Idaho has a total of 90 cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the documented case page.
President C. Scott Green sends out an email urging all staff members to work from home if they have the means to. For the full story click here.
March 23
Idaho has a total of 51 cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the documented case page.
President C. Scott Green signed an emergency policy to allow administration more room to take action in response to COVID-19. For the full story click here.
A Facebook Live was held on Monday by the University of Idaho Dean of Students Office held a Facebook Live on Monday to update on changing circumstances. For the full story click here.
An emergency teleconference was held by the Idaho State Board of Education to discuss the response to COVID-19 in regard to K-12 education. For the full story click here.
March 22
Idaho has a total of 46 cases of coronavirus in the state. Click here to see the documented case page.
Gritman announces several changes to their hospital in response to Coronavirus. For the full story click here.
March 21
Moscow City Council passed an emergency ordinance to ban in-person services at restaurants and bars. For the full story click here.
The VandalStore Starbucks will be closed until further notice. For the full story click here.
March 20
Blaine County put into place plans to issue a shelter-in-place. For the full story click here.
March 19
According to Gov. Brad Little, Idaho is looking for responses from small, non-farm business that have been affected by the coronavirus. For the full story click here.
UI parking and Transportation announced a new set of parking regulation policies that will be enforced the first day of the fall semester. Click here for the full main takeaways.
South Central Public Health District and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare have confirmed community spread of coronavirus in Blaine County. Click here for the full main takeaways.
President C. Scott Green sent out an email regarding changes to University of Idaho due to the coronavirus. For the full story click here.
President C. Scott Green announced the cancelation of 2020 spring commencement ceremony. For the full story click here.
The Counseling and Testing Center will be moving to remote service starting March 28. For the full story click here.
March 18
Idaho has confirmed three new cases of coronavirus bringing the total to eleven in the state. Click here to see the documented case page.
Gov. Brad Little hosted a press conference Wednesday morning about the latest guidance from the White House and CDC. Click here for the full main takeaways.
SMART Transit busses will be temporarily suspended starting March 19th. For the full story click here.
The University of Idaho parking regulations on campus have changed for spring break. For the full story click here.
March 17
Idaho has confirmed four new case of coronavirus on March 17 bringing the total to nine in the state. Click here to see the documented case page.
The University of Idaho Student Alumni Relations Board has canceled the spring Parent and Family Weekend. For other canceled or postponed events click here.
We’ve updated our list of events around Moscow canceled. Click the link to see the updated list.
We’ve compiled a list of places around Moscow who have either changed their hours or closed due to coronavirus related concerns. For the full story click here.
The Idaho Recreation Center is closing on March 18 to prevent the spread of coronavirus. For the full story click here.
Idaho State University and Lewis-Clark State College have canceled their commencement ceremonies due to coronavirus concerns. For the full story click here.
March 16
Multiple fast food locations throughout Moscow have closed their lobbies ton prevent the spread of the coronavirus. For the full story click here.
Due to coronavirus concerns the Kenworthy Performing Arts Center has closed until April 9. They announced they will be paying their employees through March. For the full story click here.
The Idaho Department of Transportation announced they would be extending all expiring credentials for 90 days to minimize crowd sizes. For the full story click here.
Local grocery stores report they are limiting the amount of certain products, like cleaners or toilet paper, customers can buy at one time. For the full story click here.
President Donald Trump held a press conference on March 16 and announced the trajectory of the coronavirus to be until July or August. For the full story click here.
March 15
Washington’s Governor Jay Inslee announced the state of Washington will close all restaurants and bars after the CDC advised canceling all events of 50 people or more. For the full story click here.
March 14
Idaho confirms the third, fourth and fifth cases in Idaho. The cases we’re in Teton County, Ada County and Blaine County. For the full story click here.
Idaho confirms it’s second case of COVID-19 in Blaine County. The individual is a woman over the age of 50 who has mild to moderate symptoms. For the full story click here.
March 13
Moscow School District will be closed for two weeks starting March 23, according to a message from the school district sent to parents.
President C. Scott Green announced in an email the University of Idaho is moving to online-only coursework indefinitely beginning March 23. A one week notice will be given if they return to in person instruction. For the full story click here.
Idaho has its first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Ada County. The individual is a woman over the age of 50 who attended a meeting in New York City before flying back to Boise, Idaho. For the full story click here.
Idaho declares a state of emergency as a preventative measure in the face of the growing COVID-19 outbreak across the county. “As the old saying goes, ‘an ounce of prevention equals a pound of the cure,’” Gov. Brad Little said. For the full story click here.
The last showing of “The Moors” will be on March 13 at 7:30 p.m. Those with pre-purchased tickets for future shows can contact UI Department of Theatre Arts for refunds or exchanges. For the full story click here.
NCAA addresses rule change that would give Division I spring season athletes an extra year of eligibility, due to the season being suspended because of coronavirus concerns. For the full story click here.
March 12
National and international university-sponsored travel over spring break has been canceled. Trips have been cancelled for: Idaho Criminology Abroad, Ad Team, Model UN and Alternative Service Breaks. For the full story click here.
March 10
UI announced they will be moving classes online March 23 and 24 as a test to ensure online classes will work in the case of an outbreak. Students returning from travel over spring break should self-monitor and self-report their health condition. For the full story click here.
University of Idaho and Washington State University have considered the possibility of switching classes to online-only if the recommendation is made by public health officials. For the full story click here.
March 4
The number of COVID-19 cases is increasing nationally. The UI Infectious Disease Response Team is discussing plans on university reaction in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak at UI. For the full story click here.
Some study abroad programs with UI have been cancelled, and students studying in China, South Korea and Italy will be returning to the Palouse. More study abroad programs may be cancelled in the future. For the full story click here.
March 3
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moved from testing nationally to locally, including in Moscow Faculty Vice Provost Torrey Lawrence said. For the full story click here.
March 1
Troy Junior Senior High School, Troy Elementary School, and Genesse School will be closed March 2 as a precautionary measure to disinfect and clean in response to potential exposure to COVID-19 after Jazz Fest. Click here for the full story.
February 29
A student from Henry M. Jackson High School was diagnosed with COVID-19. The student did not attend Jazz Fest. Students from the school attended Jazz Fest, but had not been in contact with the infected student. Click here for the full story.