Health officials in North Idaho breathed a collective sigh of relief – literally –when they learned Friday afternoon that the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the state wasn’t near the five counties that comprise the Panhandle Health District or indicative of community transmission.

But the relatively good news didn’t mean they put their guard down.

“It puts us on high alert,” said Katherine Hoyer, a Panhandle Health District spokesperson.

Hoyer said nerves rose as health officials waited for a case in Idaho, which was among the last few states in the U.S. without one.

She said it was similar to the circumstances in Spokane County, where health officials know the virus is present but haven’t identified a case, unlike the widespread community transmission in many populous Western Washington counties.

The news that a woman in her 50s in highly populated southwestern Ada County, which includes Boise, contracted the virus came within several hours of Gov. Brad Little declaring a state of emergency. Officials said the woman had mild symptoms and was recovering in home isolation.

“We knew at some point this would happen,” Brandon Atkins, of Central District Health in Boise, said during a televised briefing announcing the case.

Little said Idaho began preparing for the virus to spread in January and that the positive test doesn’t change the state’s response. The woman contracted the virus at a conference in New York City – which three people with the virus attended – from late February to early March. That means it’s not a case of community spread in which the source is unclear.

Health officials were investigating close contacts with the patient but said the threat of community transmission was low as she did not have symptoms when she returned home.

Pandemics like COVID-19 are high on Idaho’s list for disaster preparation because the state lacks a threat of other natural disasters, Hoyer said.

The Panhandle Health District was awaiting test results for 36 people and monitoring nine others as of Friday, according to Hoyer. The number of monitored people peaked at 48 when an influx of travelers returned to Idaho from cruises and needed two more days in isolation without symptoms to be deemed virus-free.

Hoyer said Idaho public health officials recommended canceling or postponing indoor gatherings of more than 250 people and other precautions in relation to events to slow the spread of the virus. They could resort to more drastic measures, such as in Washington, where there are close to 570 cases and schools will be closed until late April.

With the fluid border to the west and a large elderly population in mind, Hoyer said North Idaho officials are communicating with health care facilities about their capacity for patients who don’t need critical care in case the virus spreads. Those conversations have included talks with Spokane Regional Health District emergency officials who are preparing for the virus to spread, she said.

“We know they’re overwhelmed as well,” Hoyer said.

Hoyer said North Idaho officials are more concerned about travelers coming to Idaho from out of state or out of the country, rather than commuters who go between Spokane and North Idaho during the day.

He said businesses should examine upcoming travel for employees as potential risks for spreading the virus.

Kootenai Health opened a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site outside of its emergency department for people who have been referred by their primary care providers, Hoyer said. Medical personnel at the testing area are already in personal protective equipment. Limiting potential patients needing to go inside the hospital reduces the risk of spreading a disease.

Hoyer reiterated the importance of people calling their doctor if they are concerned about having COVID-19 and not walking straight into a hospital. People in Idaho can be tested on a doctor’s orders as long as the test is clinically necessary and other respiratory ailments have been ruled out.

“This is not a test that everyone needs just for peace of mind,” Atkins said during the news conference.

Little said Idaho’s state of emergency, which will be in effect for at least 30 days, has two primary goals. The first is to prevent infections and slow the spread of the virus in the state’s 1.8 million residents so that healthcare facilities will have the capacity to care for those who become seriously ill.

“If too many people get sick too soon, our healthcare facilities will not have the capacity to deal with it,” Little said.

The second goal is to help protect the most susceptible, who are the elderly and those with existing health problems.

State officials say more than 130 people in Idaho have been tested.

A model from state epidemiologist Christine Hahn indicates 15% to 35% of Idaho’s population, roughly 270,000 to 630,000 residents, could eventually be infected. Even a small fraction of them showing up in hospitals all at once would stress the system, officials said.

The declaration makes money available and gives Little flexibility in responding to situations around the state. He said he has received good help from the federal government.

Little’s declaration means Idaho will have access to protective gear for healthcare workers and ventilators for those who become severely ill.

State officials acknowledged that having just more than 100 people tested isn’t enough. But Hahn said Idaho’s testing for the coronavirus is ramping up, with three commercial labs recently taking part as well as the state lab.

“We’re in a tight pinch right now. But we think it’s going to improve as these private labs come on board,” she said.

Little said there are no plans to close schools or take extraordinary measures at the moment, other than to ask people to use good hygiene to avoid getting the virus. He said protocols are in place for various scenarios should infections start appearing.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra said decisions about closing schools are being left to local districts, but that could change.

The State Board of Education was scheduled to hold a special meeting later in the day to consider a potential response for colleges and universities to the virus.

North Idaho health officials are also communicating with local schools about potentially canceling nonessential activities, Hoyer said.

Although Coeur d’Alene Public Schools canceled or postponed school events with more than 250 people, in addition to those that didn’t allow for at least 6 feet of social distancing, the district still plans to have school this upcoming week.

In the event schools close, district officials said they would establish programs for weekday meals for students and emergency child care care for parents who are healthcare workers, first responders or among vulnerable populations.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.