Central District Health (CDH) is investigating a cluster of COVID-19 illness involving ten individuals to-date who visited multiple bars while infectious in downtown Boise on Friday, June 5, 2020 and Saturday, June 6, 2020. Five of the individuals tested positive for COVID-19; five are considered probable cases. Probable cases include individuals who are close contacts to confirmed cases and who become symptomatic but are not tested.
Though the investigation is ongoing, CDH has identified multiple bars in the area of 6th and Main Streets in Downtown Boise that the individuals visited while infected during the evening hours of Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6:
- Amsterdam Lounge – 609 W. Main St., Boise
- Cactus Bar – 517 W. Main St., Boise
- Humpin’ Hannah’s – 621 Main St., Boise
- Silly Birch – 507 W. Main St., Boise
- StrangeLove – 100 S. 6th St., Boise
- Tom Grainey’s – 109 S. 6th St., Boise
The risk of exposure to patrons is unknown, so CDH is recommending that persons who were at any of these establishments or spent time in the area of 6th and Main during the evening hours on June 5 and 6 monitor themselves for any of the following symptoms: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, sore throat or new loss of taste or smell through June 20. Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure. If you experience any COVID-like symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.
Epidemiologists with CDH are continuing their investigation which includes specific contact tracing for this illness cluster.
“As Idaho continues to reopen, illness clusters like this one are a reminder that COVID-19 is still very present in our communities. It is especially important that we find our new normal, which needs to include wearing face coverings especially in situations where sufficient physical distancing isn’t possible, and continuing to look for ways to limit face-to-face exposure. Any interaction with others, particularly in close contact, puts us at greater risk for becoming infected with coronavirus,” said Russ Duke, District Director for Central District Health (CDH).
Continued COVID-19 risk reduction strategies should include:
- Staying home if sick, even when symptoms are mild.
- Practicing physical-distancing (maintaining at least 6 feet between individuals).
- Wearing a cloth face covering or mask when in public settings where physical distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or sleeve.
- Avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Washing hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer.
“Given community transmission in many of our counties, everyone should be continuously monitoring themselves, children, and elderly for changes in health and potential symptoms,” added Duke.
COVID-19 case counts for Ada, Boise, Elmore and Valley Counties, which are served by CDH, are updated weekdays by 5 pm unless otherwise noted on the CDH website, https://www.cdh.idaho.gov/dac-coronavirus. Weekly data points are updated Mondays and Thursdays by noon.
The CDH Call Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with Spanish speaking representatives available: 208-321-2222.
