Gov. Little taps local clinical, laboratory, research experts to create testing strategy moving forward

Boise, Idaho – Governor Brad Little announced today a new public-private task force to create a COVID-19 testing strategy for the State of Idaho moving forward.

“The staged reopening of our economy can only occur with a combination of efforts, and expanded and targeted testing is a big part of our strategy,” Governor Little said. “We are on the verge of seeing testing capacity significantly open up in Idaho and elsewhere. Our new Testing Task Force will set criteria for when and how frequently someone should be tested and how to move toward a common reporting platform across the state. We have a strong team of very capable local clinical and laboratory and research experts from across the state helping us navigate this crisis, and I appreciate their help.”

The Testing Task Force met for the first time Thursday. It is co-chaired by Dr. Jim Souza, the chief medical officer for St. Luke’s Health System and Dr. Christopher Ball, director of the Idaho Bureau of Laboratories.

“We know that testing capabilities have been limited in too many areas and we are glad for the increasing capacity that is coming online in multiple areas,” Dr. Souza said. “We know we need to reopen our economy based upon sound principles that allow progress while maintaining safety. Testing will be a key tool to inform these decisions. The task force will provide recommendations that serve to inform the most effective reopening actions.”

The group will rapidly inform the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, the Governor’s Coronavirus Working Group, healthcare and laboratory entities, and businesses on statewide testing for COVID-19.

In particular, the group is immediately focusing on improvements in the following areas:

Safe and efficient screening and testing sites for symptomatic individuals, including those with mild symptoms

Screening and testing locations in all regions of the state, including places that serve older individuals, rural and lower income populations, and racial and ethnic minorities

Robust COVID-19 testing programs for at-risk healthcare workers

Participants of the Testing Task Force include:

Co-chairs

Dr. Christopher Ball (Director, Idaho Bureau of Laboratories)

Dr. Jim Souza (Chief Medical Officer, St. Luke’s Health System)

State and Local Public Health

Division of Public Health:

Dr. Christine Hahn (Public Health Medical Director and State Epidemiologist)

Dr. Kris Carter (Career Epidemiology Field Officer)

Dr. Carolyn Bridges (Consultant)

Elke Shaw-Tulloch (Division Administrator, State Health Official)

Local Public Health District:

Maggie Mann (Director, Southeastern Idaho Public Health)

Healthcare

Boise Veterans Administration Medical Center:

Dr. Andrew Wilper (Chief of Staff)

Kootenai Health:

Dr. Karen Cabell (Chief Physician Executive)

Saint Alphonsus Health System:

Dr. Steven Nemerson (Chief Clinical Officer)

Dr. Patrice Burgess (Systems Contact for Testing)

St. Luke's Health System:

Dr. Matthew Burtelow (Boise Pathology Group, St. Luke’s Treasure Valley Medical Executive Committee)

Dr. Sky Blue (infectious disease physician, Sawtooth Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases, St. Luke’s Infection Prevention Committee)

Idaho Emergency Responders Health Center

Dr. Rob Hilvers

Retail Pharmacy

Albertsons Corporation: Rob Geddes, Director of Pharmacy and Regulatory Affairs

Community Organization

Crush the Curve: Mike Boren

The work of the task force ties into the state’s ability to meet the criteria in order to progress through the four stages of reopening that Governor Little outlined Thursday. Information is available at https://rebound.idaho.gov/.