In an effort to track the changes with the coronavirus outbreak in Arizona, 12 News has started a daily live blog.
Here is the live blog for Thursday, Jan. 14.
Major updates:
- There have been 649,040 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 10,855 coronavirus-related deaths reported in Arizona as of Thursday.
- The state does not record how many people have recovered, but Johns Hopkins University estimates the number of people who have recovered.
- You can find COVID-19 testing sites here.
- Go to 12News.com/Vaccine to find more information on the COVID-19 vaccines.
- Scroll down to see how many cases are in each ZIP code and additional information.
- Arizonans 65 and older to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccine
- Arizona to launch second state-run vaccine site
- Pima County expands COVID-19 vaccines to Phase 1B.1
COVID-19 cases reported in Arizona on Thursday
There have been 649,040 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 10,855 coronavirus-related deaths reported in Arizona, according to the state's latest numbers.
That's an increase from the 641,729 confirmed cases and 10,673 coronavirus-related deaths reported on Wednesday.
A week ago, there were 584,593 cases and 9,741 deaths reported in Arizona.
LEER EN ESPANOL: Coronavirus en Arizona el 14 de enero: 7,311 nuevos casos, 182 muertes se reportan el jueves
7,311 new cases, 182 new deaths reported Thursday
The Arizona Department of Health Services reported 7,311 new cases and 182 new deaths on Thursday.
The department said 188,740 Arizonans have been vaccinated as of Wednesday. Maricopa County said 105,655 people had been vaccinated as of Thursday.
Arizona’s cases, deaths and hospitalizations have been steadily rising before Thanksgiving, when gatherings and travel were expected to further spread the coronavirus.
The department reports the number of new cases on the day the cases were reported to them by counties and hospitals, not on the day when someone was diagnosed with the virus.
Arizona reached 600,000 coronavirus cases on Jan. 9, 500,000 on Dec. 28, 400,000 on Dec. 12, 300,000 on Nov. 23, 200,000 on Aug. 27, 100,000 on July 6 and 50,000 cases on June 21.
The state reached 10,000 coronavirus deaths on Jan. 9, 9,000 on Jan. 1, 8,000 on Dec. 22, 7,000 on Dec. 9, 6,000 on Nov. 3, 5,000 on Aug. 29, 4,000 on Aug. 6, 3,000 deaths on July 23, 2,000 on July 9 and 1,000 on June 5.
Arizona's Rt, pronounced r-naught, was at 1.10 on Tuesday, the same since Sunday and among the top five worst in the nation.
The Rt is essentially a mathematical number that shows whether more people are becoming infected or less.
The concern is that any Rt over 1, no matter how small, means the virus may grow exponentially.
There were 11,518 cases reported on the collection date of Jan. 4, the day with the most collected diagnoses so far. The day with the second-most collected diagnoses so far was on Dec. 28, with 11,311 cases. That is subject to change.
Health officials said the day with the highest number of deaths was Dec. 17, when 123 people died. The day with the second-most deaths was Dec. 18, when 121 people died. That is subject to change.
Health officials continued to stress that people should continue social distancing, wearing masks in public, and stay home when possible.
Maricopa County system will not begin vaccinating the 65-74 age group until more vaccine is allocated
In the Maricopa County Public Health update on COVID-19 distribution, Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, Medical Director of Disease Control, said the county's system will not open vaccine distribution to age group 65-74 until more of the vaccine is allocated to the state.
The priority for the county remains with vaccinating phase 1A and priority groups of phase 1B. This means the eight pharmacy providers within the system will not begin when the AZDHS does.
It is currently unknown when the county will receive the allocation of the vaccine needed to move forward. The AZDHS will start taking appointments for this age group on Tuesday.
Watch the full update below.
State Farm Stadium appointments booked through the month
The AZDHS announced that all appointments at State Farm Stadium have been booked for the month of January. Appointments for February will open soon.
At 9 a.m. on Jan. 19, priority group 1B can make appointments for the state site in Glendale and at Phoenix Municipal Stadium starting Feb. 1.
Arizona passes 200,000 vaccine doses administered
Counties throughout the state have collaborated to get vaccines administered quickly and efficiently. Today, the state passed 200,000 doses administered.
“This is an exciting milestone for Arizona,” said Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS). “Any dose that remains in storage remains a challenge to be addressed, but as a state we are gaining momentum in protecting prioritized Arizonans from COVID-19.”
Read the full release below.
Arizonans 65 and older to be prioritized for COVID-19 vaccine
The Arizona Department of Health Services announced Wednesday that an additional 750,000 Arizonans aged 65 years and older will be prioritized for the COVID-19 vaccine.
According to ADHS, updated guidance adds those 65 and older to populations that already include those 75 and older.
Arizonans age 65 and older will be able to register for vaccine starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday in counties that are currently vaccinating those in prioritized Phase 1B of vaccination.
Counties are able to prioritize based on available vaccine, so those seeking vaccination need to check their county health department’s plans for vaccine prioritization.
Information on the phase each county is currently vaccinating, the number of doses ordered by each county, and location of vaccination sites can be found at azhealth.gov/findvaccine.
Of deaths in Arizona due to COVID-19, 85% have been among those 65 and older, per ADHS. More than 50% of cases hospitalized come in that age group.
In total, 171,000 Arizonans have been vaccinated and 17,000 have received both doses. More than 11,000 have been vaccinated at a 24/7 operation ADHS and partners launched Monday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.
A second state-run vaccination facility is expected to be opened on Feb. 1 at Phoenix Municipal Stadium to accommodate for increased demand, ADHS says.
Arizona to launch second state COVID-19 vaccine site
The Arizona Department of Health Services will launch a second state COVID-19 vaccination site as more people are becoming eligible to receive the vaccine.
Phoenix Municipal Stadium will serve as the second state vaccination site starting Feb. 1.
Arizonans who are currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine -- those in Phases 1A and 1B -- will be able to sign up for an appointment starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday.
That is also the same time when the department will open up Phase 1B vaccinations to people aged 65 and older.
The stadium will only be open for vaccine appointments during daytime hours.
The number of available appointments will depend on the number of vaccine doses available at that time.
Pima County expands COVID-19 vaccines to Phase 1B.1
The Pima County Health Department announced Thursday that it would move into Phase 1B.1 of COVID-19 vaccinations starting Friday.
People who are eligible to receive vaccines in this phase are those over the age of 75, people in protective service occupations such as law enforcement and teachers, educators and child care workers.
Vaccination efforts will continue for people in Phase 1A.
The county is working with the state and the CDC Retail Pharmacy program to give the vaccine to local pharmacies to help reach people 75 and over.
You can find more information on the vaccine here.
Chance of COVID-19 triage care looms over Arizona hospitals
Currently facing the worst COVID-19 infection rate in the country, leaders of Arizona's major hospitals say the state is teetering on the brink of having to ration life-saving care.
The chief clinical officers of Arizona’s five biggest hospital systems spoke Wednesday at a joint news conference to implore the public and the state to do more.
Under a triage plan, triage officers at each hospital would decide which patients receive treatment if there are shortages in staffing, beds or ventilators.
The physicians believe at least 1 in 10 people in Arizona is infected with the virus.
The state Wednesday reported over 5,600 additional COVID-19 cases and nearly 200 more deaths.
The above article is from The Associated Press.
RELATED: Valley hospital leaders warn they're getting closer to implementing triage standards of care
Scottsdale reestablishes mask requirement
Scottsdale's new mayor David Ortega issued an emergency proclamation Wednesday that reestablished a face covering requirement within city limits.
Masks must be worn in public if physical distancing by at least 6 feet is not possible.
Masks are required in stores, restaurants, gyms and public transit.
Read the emergency proclamation here.
Tempe cancels spring arts festival due to COVID-19
The Downtown Tempe Foundation canceled the Tempe Festival of the Arts that was scheduled for the spring "due to the rise in COVID-19 cases and out an abundance of caution for the health of our artists and community."
This is the third time the event has been canceled due to COVID-19. It takes place twice a year.
“We have very strong allies at the city, and couldn’t ask for a better partnership,” Kate Borders, executive director of the Downtown Tempe Foundation, said in a statement.
“After many conversations with city leadership and staff, we feel this is the right decision for everyone involved. We fully recognize that this is devastating news for our artists and stakeholders, but we believe public health is the priority at this time.”
Navajo Nation reports 169 additional virus cases, 5 deaths
Navajo Nation health officials on Wednesday reported 169 new COVID-19 cases and five more deaths from the coronavirus outbreak.
The additional cases and deaths increased the pandemic’s totals for the tribe’s reservation to 25,746 cases and 879 known deaths.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher than reported because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
The tribe’s vast reservation includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
The above article is from The Associated Press.
Arizona health department sets up hotline to report businesses
The Arizona Department of Health Services has set up two ways for people to report local businesses that are not following COVID-19 guidelines.
People can report businesses through a hotline or through an online form:
- Submit a complaint online at www.azhealth.gov/complianceCOVID19
- Calling the COVID-19 Compliance Hotline at 1-844-410-2157
“There’s a role for the public as well: If you believe a business isn’t following these requirements, which were established for the safety of customers, employees, and the broader public, ADHS encourages you to share your concerns so local and state officials can follow up as needed,” AZDHS said in a statement.
Free masks available for some Arizonans
The Arizona Department of Health Services announced that some Arizonans would be able to get free masks from the state.
The department partnered with Hanes to provide free face masks to Arizona’s most vulnerable populations.
Anyone who is part of a vulnerable population (including, but not limited to, individuals with medical conditions or individuals age 65 or older), a student (or parents on behalf of students), school staff member or who may not be able to purchase one is able to get a free mask.
Each other will provide five washable, reusable cloth face masks, one order per household.
The department hopes to give out two million cloth face masks.
Anyone with questions can visit the department's FAQs page or contact Hanes at 1-800-503-6698.
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 here and can find yours by clicking around or searching for your ZIP code in the top right of the map.
More information on coronavirus cases from Thursday
There have been 649,040 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 10,855 coronavirus-related deaths reported in Arizona.
That's an increase from the 641,729 confirmed cases and 10,673 coronavirus-related deaths reported on Wednesday.
There were 7,311 new cases reported on Thursday, an increase from the 5,629 new cases reported on Wednesday.
There were 182 new deaths reported on Thursday, a decrease from the 191 new deaths reported on Wednesday.
There were 11,518 cases reported on the collection date of Jan. 4, the day with the most collected diagnoses so far. The day with the second-most collected diagnoses so far was on Dec. 28, with 11,311 cases. That is subject to change.
Health officials said the day with the highest number of deaths was Dec. 17, when 123 people died. The day with the second-most deaths was Dec. 18, when 121 people died. That is subject to change.
In total, 22,251 new tests were reported on Thursday, an increase from the 17,391 new tests reported on Wednesday.
There have been a total of 3,555,005 PCR and Serology tests reported to the state as of Thursday.
13.4% of those tests have been positive as of Thursday, the same since Tuesday.
Here's a breakdown of the number of cases in each county:
- Maricopa: 401,855
- Pima: 86,345
- Pinal: 35,550
- Coconino: 13,420
- Navajo: 12,942
- Apache: 8,410
- Mohave: 16,287
- La Paz: 1,935
- Yuma: 31,958
- Graham: 4,235
- Cochise: 9,380
- Santa Cruz: 6,866
- Yavapai: 14,170
- Gila: 5,217
- Greenlee: 469
Click on the links below to find more information from each county's health department:
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:
- Wear face coverings while in public.
- Practice social distancing while in public.
- 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.
