PHOENIX — There is a lot of news regarding the coronavirus in Arizona.
In an effort to track the changes, 12 News has started a daily live blog.
Here is the live blog for Friday, April 17.
Major updates:
- There are now 4,507 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona as of Friday morning.
- 169 people have died from the virus or complications related to the virus in Arizona, as of Friday morning.
- The state does not record how many people have recovered.
- Navajo Nation weekend curfew begins Friday night.
- VA recipients will automatically get their $1,200 stimulus checks.
Need to know:
- Here's the national live blog for Friday, April 17
- Here’s how to get tested for coronavirus in Arizona
- Concern grows for people quarantined with abusers
- How to prepare for an unexpected hospitalization amid COVID-19 spread
There are now 4,507 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona, 169 deaths
There are now 4,507 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona, with 169 coronavirus-related deaths, according to the state's latest numbers.
Cases are up from 4,234 confirmed cases on Thursday with 150 deaths.
One week ago, there were 3,112 cases and 97 deaths in Arizona.
Here's a county breakdown:
- Maricopa: 2,404
- Pima: 819
- Pinal: 212
- Coconino: 304
- Navajo: 435
- Apache: 141
- Mohave: 51
- La Paz: 5
- Yuma: 23
- Graham: 2
- Cochise: 20
- Santa Cruz: 15
- Yavapai: 69
- Gila: 5
- Greenlee: 2
Maricopa County continues to have the most cases in the state.
According to the county health department, there have been 2,385 cases and 69 deaths. Among those cases, 19% have been hospitalized and 6% have been admitted to the intensive care unit.
Arizona releases ZIP code locations of coronavirus cases, other data
The Arizona Department of Health Services has released expanded data points regarding coronavirus cases in the state.
The AZDHS website now features the location of confirmed cases in Arizona by zip code.
Additionally, demographics including race and ethnicity on confirmed coronavirus-related deaths, hospital information and more are being reported by the state.
You can see the current ZIP code map below and can find yours by clicking around or searching for your ZIP code in the top right of the map.
85 new cases, 3 more deaths on the Navajo Nation as weekend curfew takes effect
The total number of positive COVID-19 tests has reached 1,127 on the Navajo Nation as of Friday, an increase of 85 cases since Thursday. The day before saw a rise of 121 cases.
Forty-four people have now died of the virus on the nation.
Another 57-hour weekend curfew is going into effect at 8 p.m. It will end Monday, April 20 at 5 a.m.
Police will enforce the curfew with road checkpoints and issue citations for curfew violators, which may include up to $1,000 in fines and/or 30 days in jail.
University of Arizona workers face furloughs
The University of Arizona announced it is implementing furloughs and pay cuts because of large financial losses during the coronavirus pandemic.
The furloughs and pay cuts are planned from May 11 of this year through June 30, 2021. The university has also halted approved building projects and instituted a hiring freeze.
As part of the plan:
- For those within the salary bands up to $44,449 a year, a furlough of 13 days to be taken over time
- For those within the salary bands of $44,500 to $75,000 a year, a furlough of 26 days to be taken over time
- For those within the salary bands of $75,001 to $150,000 a year, a furlough of 39 days to be taken over time
- For those within the salary bands of $150,001 to $199,999 a year, a straight salary reduction of 17%
- For those within the salary bands of $200,000 or more a year, a salary reduction of 20%
54 cases in Mohave County
Health officials announced 54 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mohave County as of Friday.
There are 19 cases in the Lake Havasu City area, including two earlier deaths. Five cases were confirmed in Bullhead City, and 30 were confirmed in Kingman.
COVID-19 positive inmate held in Page jail
Coconino County confirmed an inmate who tested positive for coronavirus was recently in custody at the Page Detention Facility.
The inmate was booked into the jail on April 9, but the person advised jail staff of possible exposure. The person was housed in an isolation cell, went to court the next day and was released.
County officials said all detention staff were tested, and the results came back negative.
The same person was arrested again on April 15 and booked into the Page jail. The court initally gave the person a 30-day jail sentence but then modified release conditions to allow the inmate to be released to a family member or friend.
The inmate was released to a family member on Friday.
The Coconino County Sheriff's Office said there are no cases of COVID-19 confirmed in the Flagstaff Detention Facility.
One model shows we may be past peak
A widely used coronavirus model from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington suggests Arizona is past the peak of deaths and hospital resource use.
This particular projection moves the key dates predicted by other models up by weeks. Other models projected the peak for COVID-19 deaths in early May, while this one says the peak was on April 5.
According to the IHME model, we might be able to relax social distancing starting on June 8.
Keep in mind that this is just one model, and no models are perfect predictions of reality. But even though all models are wrong, they can still be useful. Here is a closer look at how coronavirus projections are made.
VA recipients will receive $1,200 stimulus checks automatically
Veterans who rely on federal benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs will no longer need to file with the IRS to get their coronavirus stimulus checks, the government announced Friday.
The move comes after lawmakers and veterans groups warned a significant number of disabled veterans and surviving family members could miss out on the direct payments because they typically don't file tax returns.
The IRS said Friday that Veterans Affairs recipients will get "a $1,200 Economic Income Payment with no further action needed on their part. Timing on the payments is still being determined."
Gov. Doug Ducey to join 12 News at 5 p.m. Friday
Have questions for the governor? Text them to 602-444-1212 and they could be asked on air.
Maricopa County leasing rooms for most vulnerable homeless
Maricopa County health leaders say they will implement new measures to help protect the homeless population from a large COVID-19 outbreak.
The county has leased a facility in the west Valley to house 48 of the most vulnerable people and dozens of hotel rooms have been rented for additional people in need.
The county won't move any homeless encampments but will help people maintain a safe distance from each other through social distancing.
These rooms will also serve as additional hospital space for the state if it's needed.
West Valley Walgreens picked for drive-thru testing
The El Mirage Walgreens at 15385 North Dysart Road (southeast corner of Dysart and Greenway Roads) will begin drive-thru COVID-19 testing.
This location was chosen to be the only Walgreens COVID-19 drive-thru testing location in Maricopa County.
The testing is by appointment only.
Gila County reports six cases, state has five in the county
Navajo Nation weekend curfew begins Friday night
The Navajo Nation is extending the 57-hour weekend curfew for two more weekends in April. During the weekend, essential businesses will also close to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The first weekend curfew will begin at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 17 and end Monday, April 20 at 5 a.m.
The second weekend curfew begins at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 24 and ends on Monday, April 27.
RELATED: Healthcare systems, families strained as COVID-19 cases continue to rise on the Navajo Nation
Testing available in Williams
Advocates urge release of prisoners as Arizona fights virus
As the coronavirus surfaces in Arizona prisons, advocates for inmates worry that they’re running out of time to persuade Gov. Doug Ducey to avoid a larger outbreak by releasing some of the 42,000 people who live in close quarters behind bars.
The Republican governor has insisted he won’t free prisoners in response to the pandemic, even as other states are reducing prison populations to increase social distancing behind bars and local authorities across Arizona have released at least 300 nonviolent inmates from county jails.
Ducey has not explained why he won’t release inmates.
Corrections officials say the health and safety of staff, inmates and communities are their top priority.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Banner Health taking some non-respiratory patients
Banner Health is now offering Banner Urgent Care – non-respiratory locations at select urgent care sites in Phoenix and Tucson.
These locations are open to the general public, offering treatment for most common illness and non-emergent injuries, including broken bones, insect bites and lacerations.
But these locations are not intended to treat patients with respiratory complaints such as COVID-19.
Banner Urgent Care – non-respiratory locations include:
1660 N. Higley Rd, Suite 104 – Gilbert, AZ
13901 W. Meeker Blvd – Sun City West, AZ
5545 E. Broadway Blvd, Suite 101 – Tucson, AZ
2555 E. 13th St, Suite 110 – Loveland, CO
COVID-19 is believed to be primarily spread through coughs or sneezes.
It may be possible for the virus to spread by touching a surface or object with the virus and then a person touching their mouth, nose or eyes, but this is not thought to be the main method of spread, the CDC says.
You should consult your doctor if you traveled to an area currently affected by COVID-19 and feel sick with fever, cough or difficulty breathing.
There is no vaccine for the coronavirus, so the best way to prevent COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases is to:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently-touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
You can text FACTS to 602-444-1212 to receive more information on the coronavirus and to ask questions.
