PHOENIX — The number of coronavirus cases and deaths in Arizona continues to rise.
In an effort to track the changes, 12 News has started a daily live blog.
Here is the live blog for Friday, July 3.
Major updates:
- There have been 91,858 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona and 1,788 coronavirus-related deaths, as of Friday morning.
- The state does not record how many people have recovered, but Johns Hopkins University estimates the number of people recovered.
- Scroll down to see how many cases are in each ZIP code and additional information.
- Arizona Life Time locations will close fitness portions while Mountainside vows to remain open despite threat of civil action.
COVID-19 cases reported in Arizona on Friday
There have been 91,858 people with confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona and 1,788 coronavirus-related deaths as of Friday, according to the state's latest numbers.
That is an increase from 87,425 cases and 1,757 coronavirus-related deaths reported as of Thursday.
A week ago, there were 66,458 cases and 1,535 deaths reported in Arizona.
EN ESPANOL: Coronavirus en Arizona el 3 de julio
4,433 new cases, 31 new deaths reported Friday
The Arizona Department of Health Services reported 4,433 new cases and 31 new deaths on Friday. In the last two weeks, there have been 11 days when health officials in Arizona reported 3,000-plus new coronavirus cases.
That does not mean that all those cases were diagnosed on Thursday and all those people died on Thursday.
There were 4,323 cases reported on the collection date of June 24, the day with the most collected diagnoses so far. That is subject to change.
Health officials say the days with the highest numbers of reported deaths were June 15 and June 19, when 33 people died on each day. That is subject to change.
You can find more information here.
Life Time locations will close fitness portions, Mountainside will remain open
Life Time Fitness locations will close their fitness portions until Monday evening following conversations with the governor's office and ADHS Director Cara Christ, Life Time said on Friday.
Life Time Fitness closed fitness floors and studios on June 30, but other amenities remained open like pools, saunas and locker rooms. The fitness floors and studios were reopened the next day in defiance of state orders, according to emails sent to members.
While Life Time agreed to comply with the state, Mountainside Fitness CEO and Founder Tom Hatten said Friday his gyms will remain open until they have their day in court.
Hatten has previously stated the gyms would remain open and his company would sue Gov. Doug Ducey to block his order. That lawsuit was filed Tuesday. Mountainside locations have been cited multiple times for failing to close.
Hatten also said some employees have tested positive for coronavirus but did not have specifics.
Arizona Department of Health Services gave Mountainside and Life Time Demand for Compliance letters after defying Gov. Doug Ducey’s orders to close to help limit the spread of coronavirus.
ADHS said if the gyms don’t comply with the governor’s orders by noon Friday, they will face civil action with a temporary restraining order.
You can read the letter sent to Mountainside Fitness and Life Time Fitness by following the links.
Tempe bar allegedly forced COVID-19 positive employees to keep working
Varsity Tavern in Tempe is facing possible suspension of its liquor license after the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control says it confirmed multiple violations by the bar through an investigation.
The Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control has issued a notice of violation to the bar and an opportunity to comply.
Navajo Nation cases grow by 56, two more deaths
The Navajo Department of Health reported 56 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and two more deaths.
The total number of COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation is 7,669.
The total number of deaths has reached 371.
Reports from all 12 health care facilities on and near the Navajo Nation indicate that approximately 5,480 individuals have recovered from COVID-19.
57,559 people have been tested for COVID-19.
There will be another weekend curfew in effect from 8 p.m. Friday and expires at 5 a.m. Monday. It will be the first of three consecutive weekend lockdowns.
CDC expands list of groups at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded its list of individuals who are considered at an increased risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19.
The CDC explained that it's clear a substantial number of Americans are at increased risk of severe illness from the coronavirus pandemic – highlighting the importance of continuing to follow preventive measures.
Experts determined there was consistent evidence these conditions increase a person's risk, regardless of age:
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Obesity (BMI of 30 or higher)
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
- Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes
Masks now required in public
Gov. Doug Ducey allowed individual Arizona cities to create their own policies about face-covering requirements and enforcement on Wednesday.
A face covering has proven to be effective at limiting the spread of COVID-19, according to the CDC. The virus is primarily spread by in-person contact through sneezes and coughs.
Many cities, including Phoenix, have adopted their own mask requirement that is now in effect.
How to get tested for the coronavirus in Arizona
Are you looking to get tested for coronavirus in Arizona?
If you have reason to believe you have contracted coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, this is what you should do.
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 Friday
There have been 91,858 people with confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona and 1,788 coronavirus-related deaths as of Friday.
That is an increase from 87,425 cases and 1,757 coronavirus-related deaths reported as of Thursday.
That's an increase of 4,433 new cases reported on Friday, an increase from the 3,333 new cases reported on Thursday.
There were 31 new deaths reported on Friday, a slight decrease from the 37 deaths reported on Thursday.
In total, 20,272 new tests were reported on Friday, an increase from the 13,511 new tests reported on Thursday.
There have been a total of 755,768 PCR and Serology tests reported to the state as of Friday.
10.5% of those tests have been positive, an increase from the 10.3% on Thursday.
Here's a county breakdown:
- Maricopa: 57,929
- Pima: 9,024
- Pinal: 4,139
- Coconino: 2,087
- Navajo: 3,817
- Apache: 2,418
- Mohave: 1,342
- La Paz: 351
- Yuma: 6,824
- Graham: 125
- Cochise: 710
- Santa Cruz: 1,887
- Yavapai: 861
- Gila: 325
- Greenlee: 19
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.
