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 Monday, April 27.
Major updates:
- There are now 6,716 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona as of Monday morning.
- 275 people have died from the virus or complications related to the virus in Arizona, as of Monday morning. There were no additional deaths reported Monday.
- The state does not record how many people have recovered.
- Arizona's stay-at-home order expires Thursday.
- Scroll down to see how many cases are in each ZIP code in Arizona.
Need to know:
- Here's the national live blog for Monday, April 27
- 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 6,716 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona, 275 deaths
There are now 6,716 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona, with 275 coronavirus-related deaths, according to the state's latest numbers.
Cases are up from 6,526 confirmed cases on Sunday with 275 deaths.
The number of new cases reported Monday were 190. No new deaths were reported within the last 24 hours.
One week ago, there were 5,064 cases and 187 deaths in Arizona.
Here's a county breakdown:
- Maricopa: 3,457
- Pima: 1,164
- Pinal: 359
- Coconino: 425
- Navajo: 628
- Apache: 362
- Mohave: 96
- La Paz: 7
- Yuma: 53
- Graham: 9
- Cochise: 36
- Santa Cruz: 30
- Yavapai: 77
- Gila: 11
- Greenlee: 2
The number of COVID-19 tests administered so far, according to the state health department, are 66,543. More than 1,700 of those deaths were reported today.
People between 20 and 44 years old continued to make up the highest number of COVID-19 cases on Monday, with 2,477.
There were 1,189 cases among people 45 to 54 years old and 1,082 cases among those 55 to 64 years old.
There were 308 cases among those younger than 20.
The majority of cases had "unknown" in the cases by race or ethnicity section, with 35%. The next highest category was white and non-Hispanic, with 29%.
Women continued to make up the majority of coronavirus cases in Arizona, with 53%.
People without a chronic medical condition made up 71% of cases in Arizona and those who were not considered high-risk made up 57% of cases.
Maricopa County continued to account for the most deaths in the state, even though its death toll did not rise from Sunday's reported numbers.
The state reported that the county had 122 deaths, even though the county reported that it only had 121.
Men and people over the age of 65 continue to make up the most COVID-19 deaths in Arizona.
As of Monday, men made up 58% of coronavirus deaths. People over the age of 65 made up 208 coronavirus deaths.
The races and ethnicities were better known among the dead. Forty-nine percent of cases were from white, non-Hispanic people.
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.
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.
Maricopa County continued to have the highest number of cases in Arizona, with 3,445 cases. The state had accounted for 3,457 cases in the county.
There are 597 hospitalizations and 178 ICU admissions in the state as of Monday.
Mohave County confirms 100 residents test positive for COVID-19
The Mohave County Health Department (MCDPH) Nursing staff has confirmed four new people have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the county's total to 100.
The county's area breakdown states that there are now 29 positive confirmed cases in the Lake Havasu City area, including three deaths, 60 in Kingman, with one death and 11 in Bullhead City.
Tribes to get all $8 billion in CARES Act funding allocation, U.S. district court rules
A U.S. District Court has ruled that all $8 billion of CARES Act funding will be completely allocated towards federally-recognized tribes, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer said in a press release on Monday.
The ruling comes after the Navaho Nation and 10 other tribes sued the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury for attempting to partially fund 230 Alaska Native Corporations with the CARES Act funding.
Alaska Native Corporations are for-profit corporations that generated $10.5 billion in revenue in 2018 and are owned by Indian and non-Indian shareholders. The tribes stated in the lawsuit that funding should only be allocated to help tribal governments fight COVID-19.
Arizona launches initiative to increase testing
The Arizona Department of Health Services launched launch the Arizona Testing Blitz.
The Arizona Testing Blitz aims to test 10,000 to 20,000 Arizonans for COVID-19 every Saturday for three consecutive weeks, beginning May 2.
“Arizona has placed an emphasis on ramping up testing, but we need more,” Gov. Doug Ducey said in a statement.
“As our healthcare partners develop a more reliable supply of testing materials, we’re working together to take testing availability to the next level.”
As part of the Arizona Testing Blitz, drive-through or onsite testing will be available at various locations across the state.
Arizonans can find the nearest testing location and hours of operation as well as pre-register by visiting azhealth.gov/TestingBlitz.
Testing will be available to anyone who thinks they have been exposed to and could be infected with COVID-19 and will be based on criteria set by each testing site.
Banner Health expands testing in Arizona
Banner Health opened a new COVID-19 drive-thru collection site in Phoenix and added lanes to its original sites.
The Phoenix collection site is located at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. It can accommodate those who do not have vehicles.
The move has expanded testing capacity from 4,000 appointments per week to 13,500.
Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, such as fever or dry cough, will qualify for testing at a collection site. In addition, those with concerns of possible exposure will also meet criteria for testing in Arizona.
Banner only collects samples for molecular diagnostic testing at this time; antibody testing is not offered at Banner’s drive-thru collection sites.
The diagnostic testing can detect current infection but is unable to determine if someone had a past infection that has resolved.
Those with concerns about COVID-19 symptoms or exposure can now call Banner Health at 1-844-549-1851 to be screened and scheduled for an appointment.
Turf Paradise owner donates $1 million for Coronavirus Relief Fund
Turf Paradise Race Course owner Jerry Simms donated $1 million to the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund.
Turf Paradise also recently donated $25,000 worth of food to St. Mary’s Food Bank.
The donation brings the total fund to more than $8 million.
“I recognize the importance of supporting the community, especially during this public health emergency,” said Jerry Simms, owner of Turf Paradise.
“We understand a lot of Arizonans are going through tough times, and those who can help should help so Arizonans can bounce back from this crisis stronger than ever.”
The fund will support the purchase of personal protective equipment for frontline medical personnel and organizations that care for Arizona’s vulnerable population. The money has also supported technology access for low-income students practicing distance learning.
Number of inmates in Maricopa County down amid coronavirus pandemic
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office said the number of inmates in county jail facilities is down during the coronavirus pandemic.
According to information released by Sheriff Paul Penzone on April 24, there were 5,306 inmates housed in county jail facilities.
Prior to COVID-19, the average daily population was approximately 7,500.
“In addition to transitioning nearly 700 employees to a telework force, this office has taken great strides to reduce the number of those who must interact with the criminal justice system during the pandemic,” Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel said in a statement.
“However, this community can be sure these efforts were executed with public safety as the office’s top priority and those who committed crimes during this time will be held accountable when it is safe and prudent to do so.”
Navajo Nation cases increase to 1,716 with 59 deaths
The Navajo Department of Health reported 79 new cases of COVID-19 for the Navajo Nation as of Saturday.
There remains a total of 59 deaths as reported on Saturday.
The total number of positive cases for the Navajo Nation has reached 1,716.
There are 8,037 negative test results.
The positive cases on the Navajo Nation include the following counties:
• Navajo County, AZ: 405
• Apache County, AZ: 391
• Coconino County, AZ: 243
• McKinley County, NM: 427
• San Juan County, NM: 177
• Cibola County, NM: 16
• San Juan County, UT: 21
• Socorro County, NM: 21
• Sandoval County, NM: 15
TGen looking for coronavirus survivors
The Translational Genomics Research Institute is looking for people who have survived getting the coronavirus and whose immune system may have built up antibodies against this still mysterious disease.
The research study could lead to new methods of diagnosing COVID-19, and help in the development of antibody therapies, and perhaps vaccines.
It will not be used to diagnose disease among the participants.
Participants in The COVID Immunity Study must be U.S. residents, age 18 or older, have tested positive for COVID-19, and then recovered.
They may sign up at: https://covidimmunity.org/.
Arizona nonprofit to do testing at Phoenix homeless shelter
ProtectAZ, a doctor-led nonprofit, will be testing for coronavirus at the Justia Center from 7 a.m. to noon on Tuesday.
A group from the nonprofit also donated PPE supplies to the 24 AZ Alliance of Community Health Centers on Monday.
A team of 11 people was working, unpacking PPE and repackaging then distributing the supplies.
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.
