Here you’ll find the latest news and health alerts from Panhandle Health District. We are committed to providing important health information in a timely, accurate, and helpful manner. For questions or media inquires, please contact the Public Information Officer:
Katherine Hoyer, Public Information/Communication Manager
Phone: (208) 415-5108
Email: khoyer@phd1.idaho.gov
01/25/2023: SPAN of North Idaho Provides Funds to Assist in Suicide Prevention Among Veterans
01/24/2023: Preventing Youth Vaping
01/20/2023: Opioid Settlement Funds Available for Community Partners
01/17/2023: Health District Invites Families to Come PLAY
12/15/2022: First Flu Deaths Reported
11/10/2022: Tips on Preventing RSV
10/06/2022: First Monkeypox Case Reported in Panhandle Health District
10/05/2022: Health Advisory Issued for Rose Lake
09/02/2022: Annual Suicide Prevention and Awareness Walk
08/31/2022: Health Advisories Issued for Spirit Lake and Lake Cocolalla
08/29/2022: Candlelight Vigil to Remember Those Lost to Overdose
08/25/2022: Health District Closes Home Health Program
08/19/2022: Health Advisories Issued for Avondale Lake and Morton Slough
08/11/2022: Health Advisory Issued for Fernan Lake
08/04/2022: Free Lead Screening Event
08/02/2022: PHD Hosting Events to Raise Awareness on Substance Use Disorder
07/21/2022: Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Backyard Poultry
06/24/2022: National HIV Testing Day
06/10/2022: Tis the Season for Ticks
06/07/2022: Health District and Idaho State Police Host Cookies with a Cop Event
05/02/2022: Health District Offers Youth Mental Health First Aid
04/25/2022: National Prescription Drug Take Back Day
03/29/2022: 7th Annual Bridging the Gap Dinner
03/24/2022: Health District Celebrates 50 Years of Service
03/22/2022: Preventing Lead Exposure
01/12/2022: PHD Reports Sharp Increase in COVID-19 Cases
12/6/2021: COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic in Wallace
11/8/2021: COVID Vaccine Appointments Available for 5-11 Age Group
11/2/2021: Health Advisories for HABs Lifted
10/28/2021: PHD Offering COVID-19 Boosters
10/21/2021: PHD Hosts National Prescription Drug Take Back Day Event
10/7/2021: Health Advisory Issued for Cave and Hauser Lakes
10/7/2021: Health Advisory Issued for Black Lake
10/1/2021: Flu Shots Available at PHD
09/14/2021: Health Advisory Issued for Solomon Lake
09/10/2021: PHD Announces District Director
08/27/2021: Health Advisory Issued for Priest Lake OUTLET and Chuck Slough HEALTH ADVISORY LIFTED FOR Priest Lake OUTLET 9/10/2021
08/27/2021: PHD Experiencing Back-log of COVID-19 Cases
08/23/2021: FDA Announces Approval of First COVID-19 Vaccine
08/23/2021: Health Advisory Issued for Spirit Lake
08/19/2021: Health Advisory Issued for Boyer Slough
08/17/2021: PHD Supports Recommendation for Third Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine for those with Immunocompromised Conditions
08/09/2021: PHD Encourages Vaccination and Supports CDC Guidance Amid Increase in COVID-19 Delta Variant Cases
08/04/2021: Health Advisory Issued for Sagle Slough
07/28/2021: Health Advisory Issued for Fernan Lake
07/28/2021: PHD Staff Member Graduates from FEMA’s National Emergency Management Advanced Academy
07/27/2021: Health Advisory Issued for Hayden Lake
07/02/2021: Take Precautions when Enjoying Water Recreation
06/24/2021: PHD Expresses Gratitude and Farewell to National Guard
05/28/2021: Increase in Funds for Fresh Fruits and Vegetables Coming to Families Enrolled in WIC
04/28/2021: Mobile Vaccine Teams & Changes to Mass Vaccine Sites
04/13/2021: PHD Pausing Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics and Distribution
03/25/2021: First COVID-19 Variant Identified in Panhandle Health District
03/24/2021: Effective Immediately, Those 16 and Older are Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine
03/15/2021: People 55 and older with qualifying medical condition eligible for COVID-19 vaccine on Monday, March 15
03/11/2021: PHD Welcomes New Nurse Practitioner to Medical Clinic
03/11/2021: All Five Counties Move to Yellow Risk Category
03/03/2021: COVID Vaccine 65+ and Phase 2.3
03/03/2021: State Further Clarifies Who is Eligible in Group 2
02/10/2021: Vaccine Administration Transparency Data
02/08/2021: PHD Offers COVID-19 Vaccination Scheduling Online
01/29/2021: North Idaho Moving Forward with Vaccine Phases
01/28/2021: PHD Board of Health Mask Mandate RESCINDED 3/25/2021
01/12/2021: When to Expect Your COVID-19 Vaccine
01/04/2021: PHD to Host Vaccine Clinic for Phase 1a
12/18/2020: COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
12/11/2020: COVID-19 Vaccine
12/8/2020: Revised Isolation Guidance Options
11/19/2020: RESCINDED 3/25/2021 PHD Board of Health Mask Order RESCINDED 3/25/2021
11/6/2020: Case Surges Overwhelm Public Health Efforts Across Idaho
11/4/2020: When to Start and End Isolation
10/29/2020: Kootenai, Boundary, and Shoshone Counties Move to Substantial (Red) Risk Category
10/28/2020: Protect Your Health This Flu Season
10/22/2020: Kootenai & Boundary Counties Move to Substantial (Red) Risk Category
10/21/2020: Differences Between Types of COVID-19 Tests
10/14/2020: PHD Confirms First COVID-19 Related Deaths in Bonner County
10/01/2020: Health Advisory Issued for Round Lake
09/25/2020: Flu Vaccine Available at all PHD Clinic Locations
09/15/2020: PHD Awarded $1,000,000 Grant to Help Combat Opioid Use Disorder
09/11/2020: PHD & DEQ Issue Wildfire Smoke Advisory for North Idaho
09/11/2020: PHD Accredited by ADCES to Provide Quality Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support
09/04/2020: Caution Advised on Lake Cocolalla due to Potential Harmful Algal Bloom
08/26/2020: PHD Confirms First COVID-19 Related Death in Boundary County
08/11/2020: PHD Confirms First COVID-19 Related Death in Benewah County
08/05/2020: PHD Provides Community Spread Categories for School Districts in Response to COVID-19
07/31/2020: Community Transmission Identified in Boundary & Shoshone Counties
07/30/2020: PHD Confirms First COVID-19 Related Death in Shoshone County
07/23/2020: Emergency Restriction Order: Face Coverings in Kootenai County
07/22/2020: Health Advisory Harmful Algal Bloom on Fernan Lake
07/21/2020: PHD Board of Health Meeting 7/23/2020
07/13/2020: COVID-19 Test Ordering Changes
07/08/2020: PHD Board of Health COVID-19 Position Statement
07/02/2020: First COVID-19 Case Confirmed in Shoshone County
06/29/2020: PHD Seeking Call Center Volunteers
06/29/2020: Local Health Leaders Provide COVID-19 Guidance
06/25/2020: Boundary County Confirms First Case of COVID-19
06/15/2020: PHD Confirms First COVID-19 Related Death in Area
06/11/2020: When in Doubt, Throw it Out! Canning Safety Tips
06/04/2020: Community Spread Identified in Benewah and Bonner Counties
05/27/2020: Panhandle Area COVID-19 Updates Change
05/23/2020: First COVID-19 Case Confirmed in Benewah County
05/17/2020: Eye of the COVID-19 Storm
05/13/2020: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
05/10/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Facing Risks
05/08/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Children and COVID-19
05/03/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Restaurant Reopening Plans
05/01/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Taking Care of those Pipes
04/29/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Properly Using Cleaning Products
04/27/2020: COVID-19 Case Count at 65 for the Panhandle
04/25/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Antibody Testing
04/24/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Opening North Idaho
04/23/2020: COVID-19 Case Count at 63 for Panhandle
04/22/2020: COVID-19 Case Count at 60 for Panhandle
04/22/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Stopping Stigma
04/21/2020: COVID-19 Case Count at 58 for Panhandle
04/20/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Maintaining Personal Health
04/20/2020: COVID-19 Case Count at 56 for Panhandle
04/18/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Stay Connected, Apart
04/17/2020: COVID-19 Case Count at 54 for Panhandle
04/16/2020: PHD COVID-19 Hotline Hours Changing
04/16/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Stay Home Order Extended
04/16/2020: COVID-19 Case Count at 53 for Panhandle
04/15/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – WIC is Here for You
04/15/2020: COVID-19 Case Count at 52 for Panhandle
04/14/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Planning and Preparation
04/13/2020: COVID-19 Case Count at 49 for Panhandle
04/10/2020: COVID-19 Case Count at 48 for Panhandle
04/08/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – How to Safely go to Medical Appointments
04/07/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Navigating Holidays
04/07/2020: COVID-19 Case Count at 45 for Panhandle
04/06/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – CDC Facemask Update
04/05/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Main Functions of PHD During Pandemic
04/05/2020: COVID-19 Case Count Update
04/04/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Vaping and Smoking Risks
04/03/2020: COVID-19 Case Count Update
04/02/2020: COVID-19 Case Count Update
04/02/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Caring for Someone at Home
04/01/2020: COVID-19 Case Count Update
04/01/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Contact Tracing II
03/31/2020: COVID-19 Case Count Update
03/30/2020: COVID-19 Case Count Update
03/30/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Community Transmission
03/29/2020: COVID-19 Case Count Update
03/27/2020: COVID-19 Case Count Update
03/26/2020: PHD Announces Tenth Case of COVID-19
03/26/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Defining Pandemic Words
03/25/2020: PHD Announces Ninth Case of COVID-19
03/24/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Guidance for our Community
03/24/2020: PHD Announces Two Additional Cases of COVID-19
03/22/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Flu vs. COVID-19
03/22/2020: PHD Announces Three Additional Cases of COVID-19
03/20/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Employers and Work Release
03/20/2020: PHD Announces Two Additional Cases of COVID-19
03/19/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Contact Tracing & Meet Our Epis
03/19/2020: PHD Confirms First Case of COVID-19 in Kootenai County
03/18/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Testing
03/16/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Community
03/16/2020: Updated Guidance on Mass Gatherings
03/14/2020: COVID-19 Bulletin – Protecting Yourself
03/12/2020: PHD & IDHW Announce Guidance for Mass Gatherings and Public Events
03/02/2020: PHD and Kootenai Health Provide Best Practices to Prevent Spread of COVID-19
01/8/2020: Panhandle Health District Invites You to Come PLAY
11/1/2019: 2nd Annual Diabetes Day
10/28/2019: Dental Days in all 5 Northern Counties
09/24/2019: Flu Shots Available at all PHD Clinics
09/20/2019: Health Advisory LIFTED: Upper and Lower Twin Lakes
08/29/2019: Health Advisory Extended to Upper Twin Lake
07/29/2019: Health Advisory: Harmful Algal Bloom Lower Twin Lake
07/25/2019: Health Advisory: Harmful Algal Bloom on Fernan Lake
05/22/2019: Support, Strength and Hope
05/21/2019: Survivor Support: His Struggle, My Struggle, Our Struggle
05/20/2019: Community Works Together to Prevent Suicide
04/18/2019: Kootenai County Taking Back Unwanted Prescription Drugs for National Drug Take Back Day
04/1/2019: PHD Nationally Accredited Health District
03/29/2019: Idaho WIC Receives Organization of the Year Award
03/27/2019: Volunteers Needed for Emergency Preparedness Exercise
03/25/2019: Bridging the Gap
02/25/2019: Having Happy, Healthy Babies
02/19/2019: Lead Levels Continue to Decrease in the Silver Valley
02/12/2019: HPV Free Idaho
01/04/2019: Flu On The Rise
09/12/2018: Flu Shots Available Now
08/29/2018: 10th Annual “Break the Silence” Walk to End Suicide
08/24/2018: North Idaho Rx Opioid Solution Symposium
08/13/2018: Wildfire Air Quality Advisory
07/31/2018: Panhandle Offers Free Lead Level Screenings
07/18/2018: Health Advisory Issued for Fernan Lake
07/06/2018: PHD Encourages Community Input on Health Assessment
06/24/2018: HIV Testing: Do You Know Your Status?
06/22/2018: Teen Support Nights; Friends, Food & Fun
06/20/2018: Panhandle Welcomes Cindy Barnes to Nursing Team
06/11/2018: Gonorrhea and Syphilis Cases on the Rise in North Idaho
05/03/2018: Caring For Seniors, Becoming a Companion
04/30/2018: Senior Companions; Connecting People to Purpose
04/22/2018: Senior Companions; Having Compassion
04/16/2018: Panhandle Home Health Receives 5-Star Rating
03/29/2018: Focusing on Nutrition For Women, Infants & Children
01/04/2018: Sharp Increase in Flu Hospitalizations, Deaths in Eastern Washington, Northern Idaho
10/17/2017: Diabetes Prevention Program Launching New Group Course
10/6/2017: ST MARIES: Now is the Time to Get Your Flu Shot
10/3/2017: PHD Reports First Flu Death of the Season
9/5/2017: Wildfire Smoke Advisory Issued for North Idaho
8/31/2017: WIC Recognized for Exceptional Breastfeeding Program
8/25/2017: Gonorrhea on the Rise in North Idaho
8/17/2017: Health Advisory Issued for Spicer Pond
8/10/2017: Take the Community Health Survey!
8/4/2017: Annual “Break the Silence” Suicide Prevention Walk set for September 9th
8/3/2017: West Nile Virus Case Confirmed in Kootenai County
7/25/2017: Don’t Delay! Back-to-School Vaccines Available Now
5/25/2017: Don’t Let Recreational Water Illness Spoil Memorial Day Weekend
5/8/2017: Fight the Bite: Mosquito Season Arrives in North Idaho
4/20/2017: Water Advisory Issued in Shoshone County
3/23/17: Staying Safe and Health During and After a Flood
3/21/17: Local Events to Celebrate National Public Health Week
3/17/17: Idaho health officials urge consumers to avoid eating soy nut butters and granola linked to E. coli illnesses as recall expands
2/23/2017: Support Groups Aim to Help Tobacco and E-cig Users Quit
2/17/2017: Increases in Deaths Prompt Warning for People to Take Precautions Against the Flu
1/12/2017: PHD Reports First Flu Death of the Season
1/9/2017: Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
11/8/2016: Health Advisory Issued for Black Lake
11/8/2016: Free Colon Cancer Screening Kits Available in Benewah County
9/27/2016: Panhandle Health District Reflects on 50 Years of Home Health
9/20/2016: UPDATE: Blue-green Algae Advisory Lifted for Hayden and Avondale Lakes
9/20/2016: PHD Encourages Homeowners to Care for Their Septic Systems
8/30/2016: Health Advisory Issued for Avondale Lake
8/29/2016: 8th Annual ‘Save the One’ Walk Set for September 10th
8/19/2016: UPDATE: Blue-green Algae Advisory Expanded for Fernan Lake
8/12/2016: West Nile Virus Confirmed in Boundary County Horses
8/3/2016: Idaho Traveler Tests Positive for Zika Virus
7/26/2016: PHD Celebrates National Breastfeeding Month
7/19/2016: Health Advisories Issued for Fernan and Hayden Lake
7/15/2016: PHD Offers Free Blood Lead Level Testing for Children and Pregnant Women
5/26/2016: Jerry Cobb Inducted into Idaho Hall of Fame
5/19/2016: Coeur d’Alene Raising the Bar for Child Care Facilities
3/21/2016: 2016 Public Health Week Events
3/10/2016: EVENT: Free Dental and Wellness Services for Kootenai County Teens
2/18/2016: Flu Season Arrives in North Idaho: Flu Shots Still Available
1/21/2016: Coeur d’Alene Celebrates Top Ranking from Let’s Move!
1/5/2016: PHD to Launch New Diabetes Prevention Program
12/14/2015: PHD Reports First Flu-related Death of 2015-16 Flu Season
12/10/2015: Health Advisory Lifted for Fernan and Black Lakes
11/24/2015: Blood Lead Levels Continue to Decrease in the Silver Valley
11/20/2015: It’s Turkey Time: Thanksgiving Food Safety Tips
10/16/2015: Health Advisory Issued for Black Lake
10/7/2015: Blue-green Algae Advisory Lifted for Hayden and Avondale Lakes
9/18/2015: SepticSmart Week Stresses Importance of Septic System Maintenance
9/3/2015: Aqua Park and St. Joe River Reopened to Boat Traffic
9/1/2015: Oil Sheen on St. Joe River Prompts Closure of Aqua Park
7/10/2015: Bat Tests Positive for Rabies at Priest Lake
7/9/2015: Health Advisory Issued for Hayden Lake
7/7/2015: Wildfire Smoke Advisory Issued in North Idaho
6/30/2015: Health Advisory Issued for Avondale Lake
6/26/2015: Health Advisory Issued for Fernan Lake
6/25/2015: Community Health Leaders Collaborate to Enhance Region’s Health Care
6/23/2015: Health Experts Offer Tips for Beating the Heat in Advance of Hoopfest, Ironman Coeur d’Alene
6/22/2015: Gonorrhea Cases at All-Time High in North Idaho
6/3/2015: 5 Ways to Avoid Lead Exposure in the Silver Valley
5/18/2015: Boomers Helping Boomers: Senior Companion Program offers unique support
3/31/2015: National Public Health Week Addresses Idaho’s Health Concerns
3/24/2015: Nurse-Family Partnership Expanding to Help More First-time Mothers
3/6/2015: 3 Steps to Cleaner Water
2/23/2015: Keep Your Family Healthy During Spring Break
2/13/2015: Nurse-Family Partnership Program Celebrates Idaho’s First Graduate
2/4/2015: Protect Yourself Against the Measles
1/15/2015: Survey Says… Obesity and Mental Health Top Health Problems for North Idaho