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 Wednesday, Jan. 27.
Major updates:
- There have been 738,561 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 12,643 coronavirus-related deaths reported in Arizona as of Wednesday.
- 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.
COVID-19 cases reported in Arizona on Wednesday
There have been 738,561 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 12,643 coronavirus-related deaths reported in Arizona, according to the state's latest numbers.
That's an increase from the 732,643 confirmed cases and 12,448 coronavirus-related deaths reported on Tuesday.
A week ago, there were 690,544 cases and 11,528 deaths reported in Arizona.
LEER EN ESPANOL: Coronavirus en Arizona el 27 de enero: 5,918 nuevos casos, 195 muertes se reportan el miércoles
5,918 new cases, 195 new deaths reported Wednesday
The Arizona Department of Health Services reported 5,918 new cases and 195 new deaths on Wednesday.
The department did not say whether the high death count was due to death certificate matching.
The outbreak has seen Arizona become hot spot during both the surge last summer and the current one, but the number of new reported cases has dropped recently.
However, Arizona had the worst COVID-19 diagnosis rating among U.S. states over the past week.
Arizona has given 518,125 COVID-19 vaccine doses to 430,673 people, including 79,026 who have received both doses, as of Wednesday.
The department said all the vaccine appointments for February are booked at both state-run sites. It was not immediately known when appointments for March would be made available.
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 700,000 coronavirus cases on Jan. 22, 600,000 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 12,000 coronavirus deaths on Jan. 22, 11,000 on Jan. 15, 10,000 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 0.95 on Monday, down from 0.97 on Sunday.
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 11,933 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 11,555 cases. That is subject to change.
Health officials said the day with the highest number of deaths was Jan. 5, when 139 people died. The day with the second-highest number of deaths was Jan. 3, when 134 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.
ADHS begins scheduling second dose appointments during initial visits to state sites
ADHS announced Wednesday Arizonans receiving the COVID-19 vaccine can now schedule their second dose appointment on-site during their first dose appointment at state-run vaccine sites.
This change is meant to allow the vaccine distribution process run more efficiently at the state’s 24/7 State Farm Stadium site, and as of Monday, at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
“After standing up this site in just a matter of days, we have been working non-stop to improve the registration process, including for second dose appointments,” said ADHS Director Dr. Cara Christ.
Each person vaccinated at State Farm Stadium is guaranteed a second dose appointment. For those who received their first dose at State Farm Stadium before this change, they will still need to schedule a second dose appointment.
An email invitation to register for a second dose is sent to patients who receive their first dose at State Farm Stadium. If you do not get this email you should check your spam folders. ADHS will also be reaching out by email or phone to schedule a second dose appointment.
“We’re heard great feedback from Arizonans receiving their vaccine at State Farm Stadium — and this improvement will make the experience even better. More improvements are on the way, including upgrades to the vaccine registration website to make getting a COVID-19 vaccine even easier," Christ explained.
As of Wednesday morning, more than 84,000 people have been vaccinated since the State Farm Stadium location opened on Jan. 11. Throughout the state, 518,125 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered to 430,673 individuals, including 79,026 who have received both doses.
"As Arizona receives more vaccine doses and adds more appointments, those in groups prioritized for vaccination can register for appointments at State Farm Stadium, Phoenix Municipal Stadium and multiple other vaccination sites at podvaccine.azdhs.gov. The only barrier to adding appointments at state-run sites is the limited supply coming from the federal government," a statement from the state health department said.
Those without computer access or needing extra help registering call 1-844-542-8201 to be connected with someone who can help.
Arizona medical expert answers your COVID-19 questions
Dr. Frank LoVecchio with Valleywise Health Medical Center answered your questions about COVID-19.
You can find all the past segments at 12News.com/YouTube.
Navajo Nation reports 87 new COVID-19 cases, 8 more deaths
Navajo Nation health officials on Tuesday reported 87 new COVID-19 cases and eight more deaths.
The latest figures bring the total reported coronavirus cases on the reservation to 27,665 with 985 known deaths.
On Monday, the tribe extended its stay-at-home order with a revised nightly curfew to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The Navajo Department of Health has identified 53 communities with uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus, down from 75 communities in recent weeks.
The Navajo Nation also is lifting weekend lockdowns to allow more vaccination events.
The actions in the latest public health emergency order will run through at least Feb. 15.
The Navajo Nation extends into 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 Wednesday
There have been 738,561 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 12,643 coronavirus-related deaths reported in Arizona.
That's an increase from the 732,643 confirmed cases and 12,448 coronavirus-related deaths reported on Tuesday.
There were 5,918 new cases reported on Wednesday, an increase from the 4,748 new cases reported on Tuesday.
There were 195 new deaths reported on Wednesday, a decrease from the 209 new deaths reported on Tuesday.
There were 11,933 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 11,555 cases. That is subject to change.
Health officials said the day with the highest number of deaths was Jan. 5, when 139 people died. The day with the second-highest number of deaths was Jan. 3, when 134 people died. That is subject to change.
In total, 16,626 new tests were reported on Wednesday, an increase from the 13,229 new tests reported on Tuesday.
There have been a total of 3,809,098 PCR and Serology tests reported to the state as of Wednesday.
14.2% of those tests have been positive as of Wednesday, up from 14.1% on Tuesday.
Here's a breakdown of the number of cases in each county:
- Maricopa: 459,501
- Pima: 98,743
- Pinal: 41,485
- Coconino: 14,959
- Navajo: 14,149
- Apache: 9,388
- Mohave: 18,632
- La Paz: 2,195
- Yuma: 34,637
- Graham: 4,848
- Cochise: 10,295
- Santa Cruz: 7,359
- Yavapai: 15,989
- Gila: 5,867
- Greenlee: 514
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.
