Wear a mask for your neighbors and your community: A call for action from DHW...
STAY THE COURSE TO SLOW THE SPREAD The continued increase of COVID-19 cases in Ada County, and other areas of the state, is troubling. On social media, we are being asked “What can we do to slow the...
View ArticleCOVID-19 Q&A
In our quest to help separate COVID-19 facts from fiction, we’re continuing to answer questions we have received through DHW’s social media accounts, in emails, and in our daily lives as we all live...
View ArticleDHW Director Dave Jeppesen: Wear a mask in support of Idaho’s economy
As you know, Gov. Brad Little announced yesterday that Idaho will remain in Stage 4 of the reopening plan for at least two more weeks. Like you, I am troubled by the increasing number of COVID-19 cases...
View ArticleFace coverings are protective, research shows
We have received several questions about whether face coverings actually protect us from the virus that causes COVID-19. The evidence from many different sources is clear – face coverings are...
View ArticleSupporting our teachers, staff, and students as schools reopen: A reminder...
Back-to-School Framework On July 9, the state of Idaho released our Back-to-School Framework as schools began to make plans to reopen for the 2020-21 school year. The Framework outlines the...
View ArticleMore emergency funding is available for childcare providers in Idaho
The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) has launched Phase 2 of the Idaho Child Care Emergency Grant. This is a new opportunity open to all eligible childcare providers, including those who...
View ArticleThere’s a path forward for families eligible for P-EBT program: An update...
The state of Idaho is participating in the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) Program, but it took some work to get to a path forward. The P-EBT provides eligible families with a one-time...
View ArticleCOVID-19: A Q&A
In our endless desire to make sure Idahoans have accurate, current, and relevant information about COVID-19, we’re continuing to answer questions we have received through the Department of Health and...
View ArticleFrom DHW Director Jeppesen: We remain focused on our mission to serve...
Although COVID-19 has changed the way we work for the past five months, it hasn’t changed the need to serve Idaho’s most vulnerable residents. We want all Idahoans to be able to live their best lives....
View ArticleCOVID Q&A: hydroxychloroquine, deaths, and dangerous hand sanitizers
Is hydroxychloroquine considered an effective treatment for COVID-19?Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine have not been shown to be safe and effective for treating or preventing COVID-19, according to...
View ArticleFor those raising children when the parents are unable to do so: A thank you...
I am asking all Idahoans to join me in celebrating and honoring Idaho’s kinship families. Kinship care is when significant adults (e.g. grandparents, Godparents, aunts and uncles, etc.) in the lives of...
View ArticleCOVID-19 Q&A: Out-of-state residents, symptoms of COVID-19, flu, and UVC lamps
Why don’t the state or local health districts count out-of-state residents who test positive for COVID-19 in Idaho? Public health departments at the state and local levels often don’t receive test...
View ArticleDHW is here to support the most vulnerable Idaho residents: A reminder from...
At the Department of Health and Welfare, our mission is to strengthen the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans. As you might guess, the positive impact we have on individuals and their families...
View ArticleCOVID Q&A: Percent positivity, how COVID-19 deaths are counted, carbon...
Q: Is it possible we’ve had a steady amount of cases in the state for many months, but we are testing more which makes it seem like our cases are rising, but in reality the infection rate hasn’t...
View ArticleEnjoy Your Labor Day Weekend Safely and Responsibly: A Reminder from DHW...
As we approach this Labor Day weekend, I want to remind all Idahoans to minimize the risk of COVID-19 “transmissible moments” by wearing masks or cloth face coverings, washing your hands often, and...
View ArticleFrom DHW Director Dave Jeppesen: A Reminder to Get Your Flu Shot and...
Each year, the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) reminds Idahoans to get their flu shots in preparation for the flu season. This year, the stakes are even higher. Even if you normally get your flu...
View ArticleCOVID Q&A: Vaccine, flu vs. COVID-19, and counting rapid antigen tests
How is Idaho preparing for a COVID-19 vaccine, and will the state be ready when a vaccine is available? The Department of Health and Welfare has a pandemic plan for vaccine deployment and distribution...
View ArticleFlu shots, COVID-19, and wildfires: A safety reminder from DHW Director Dave...
As summer slowly turns to fall, we are still in the midst of a global pandemic that has impacted almost 7 million Americans. And, in October, our flu season will begin. Because both COVID-19 and the...
View ArticleCOVID Q&A: Vaccine safety, different rates of testing positivity, cases in...
How do we know that the vaccine will be safe since it’s being fast-tracked through the clinical trials? Idaho Public Health officials are watching this issue very closely and are committed to providing...
View ArticleDedicated to strengthening the health, safety, and independence of Idahoans:...
Life in 2020 seems to throw one curveball after another at us. However, our strength and resilience as Idahoans allows us to weather adversity and come out stronger on the other side. We are Idahoans....
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