PHOENIX — The number of coronavirus cases and deaths in Arizona continue to rise.
In an effort to track the changes, 12 News has started a daily live blog.
Here is the live blog for Friday, June 12.
Major updates:
- There are 32,918 people with confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona and 1,144 coronavirus-related deaths, as of Friday morning.
- The state does not record how many people have recovered.
- Scroll down to see how many cases are in each ZIP code and additional information.
COVID-19 cases reported in Arizona on Friday
There are 32,918 people with confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona and 1,144 coronavirus-related deaths, according to the state's latest numbers.
That's up from 31,264 confirmed cases and 1,127 deaths on Thursday.
One week ago, there were 24,332 cases across the state with 1,012 deaths.
More virus cases in Phoenix jails than state prisons
The number of jail inmates in metro Phoenix testing positive for the coronavirus has surpassed the total among state prisoners.
Officials say 313 of Maricopa County’s 4,400 inmates tested positive as of Friday morning.
That compares to 249 confirmed cases among the nearly 41,000 inmates in Arizona’s prisons.
The sharp case growth in the county’s jails has been attributed to more testing and contact tracing within the jails. Officials are considering whether to test all jail inmates.
Arizona is among states seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases after stay-home orders were lifted.
The state hit a new daily high Friday with 1,654 new cases reported.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Sun City West requires face masks in shared spaces
Sun City West residents and employees will be required to wear masks in shared spaces starting Saturday, according to a news release from the community.
"This includes club rooms, fitness centers, pro shops, Member Services, the Village Store, Sports Pavilion, Library, etc. In outdoor areas where members can maintain 6 feet distancing, the masks are optional but encouraged. The mandate is in place until further notice," the announcement read.
“Mandating masks will allow us to keep our facilities open for now, unless this crisis worsens,” said General Manager Bill Schwind in the emailed announcement. “Compliance with this is critical to keeping our facilities available. And as we’ve said before, we will not tolerate any members taking their frustrations out on front-line staff. This is a difficult time for all of us.”
Arizona State University requires face masks on campus
Arizona State University will require all employees, students and visitors to wear face coverings while in buildings.
Face coverings will also be required in outdoor community spaces where social distancing isn’t possible, President Michael Crow said in a statement.
Examples of outdoor community spaces include garages and parking lots, ASU shuttles, bicycle racks and sidewalks.
"ASU had already announced this requirement for the start of the fall semester," part of the statement read.
"But, given the current rise in COVID-19 cases we’re seeing in Arizona and a lax attitude toward face coverings and other social distancing measures since Gov. Ducey’s Stay At Home Executive Order was lifted, we feel it is important to accelerate our policy."
Restaurants in Phoenix close due to potential coronavirus exposures
Hash Kitchen Arcadia said in a Facebook post that an individual tested positive for COVID-19.
It was not immediately known whether the individual was a customer or an employee.
The company said the location temporarily closed and contracted a disinfection service to completely disinfect the restaurant.
Hash Kitchen will remain closed until all employees test for COVID-19 and the restaurant feels that it is safe to reopen its doors.
The Porch Arcadia also said in a Facebook post that it is temporarily closing after someone who was at the restaurant tested positive.
It was not immediately known whether that person was an employee or a customer.
The closure will allow all employees to get tested.
The restaurant will reopen "when we have all test results from our team, and have ensured that it is safe for our staff and customers to return," part of the post read.
"During our temporary closure, we will be doing a thorough deep cleaning and sanitizing of the entire building, and we will be completing some planned new construction projects, which will also include special features to help further minimize risk of exposure and transmission."
Ducey touts hospitals amid focus on rise in virus cases
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is dismissing concerns about the state’s sharp rise in coronavirus cases and is instead focusing on hospitals’ capacity to care for patients.
The Republican governor said Thursday that what's most important now is that any Arizonan who gets COVID-19 can get medical care.
Critics say Ducey is not doing enough to slow the spread of the virus.
He has said the rise in cases was expected and partly resulted from increased testing.
But public health experts have said it is clear the increase goes well beyond that, and some have called for the governor to tighten restrictions.
Navajo residents urged to stay the course, keep curve flat
Navajo Nation health officials are reporting 125 new coronavirus cases and five new related deaths on the reservation.
The death toll is approaching 300 and reservation-wide cases totaled 6,275 as of Wednesday.
Tribal officials said preliminary reports from 11 health care facilities indicate nearly 3,000 people have recovered from COVID-19 with more reports pending.
Navajo officials are cautioning tribal members about letting up their guard too soon while the pandemic remains a serious threat throughout U.S.
In Arizona, health care officials are reporting spikes in new cases and hospitals have been told to prepare for the worst.
Maricopa County health official: 'We cannot go back to the way things were'
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health is encouraging residents to continue to play a part in helping slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“Until we have a vaccine, we cannot go back to the way things were pre-COVID-19," executive director Marcy Flanagan said in a statement.
"I know this is not what people want to hear, but in order to keep our community safe and protect our most vulnerable, we have to create a new normal," she continued.
“We expected to see an increase in cases with more people out and about, but the rate at which cases are increasing is concerning. And, the thing is, we have the tools to absolutely slow our rate of infection if each of us does our part."
The department is working with partners to educate the public, facilitate testing in high-risk settings, provide personal protective equipment to healthcare workers, and conduct investigations and contact tracing for positive COVID-19 cases.
Medical director Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine pointed out what is required of each resident in order to slow the spread.
“Regardless of age or risk, all persons in Maricopa County should take the following precautions to keep themselves, those they love and our community safe," she said in a statement.
People are encouraged to wear masks and practice social distancing.
Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community marks first COVID death
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community confirmed its first death due to COVID-19.
The individual is an enrolled member of the tribe and resides on the Salt River Indian Community.
“I am very sad to report the loss of one of our own Community member to the coronavirus. Our prayers go out to the family on the passing of their loved one,” President Martin Harvier said in a statement.
“Our SRPMIC health representatives have reached out to the family to assist and provide support.”
The Salt River Indian Community issued a local Emergency Declaration that is still in effect requiring members to stay home except for essential trips along with limiting gatherings to 10 people or less.
“The State of Arizona and businesses have opened, but the virus is still among us,” said Harvier.
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.
More information on coronavirus cases from Friday
There are 32,918 people with confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona and 1,144 coronavirus-related deaths.
That's up from 31,264 confirmed cases and 1,127 deaths on Thursday.
That's an increase of 1,654 new cases reported on Friday, a record high and an increase from the 1,412 new cases reported on Thursday.
There were 17 new deaths reported on Friday, down from the 32 new deaths reported on Thursday.
In total, 13,559 new tests were reported on Friday, up from 12,383 tests that were reported on Thursday.
There have been a total of 442,886 PCR and Serology tests reported to the state as of Friday.
6.7% of those tests have been positive, up from Thursday's 6.5%.
Here's a county breakdown:
- Maricopa: 17,010
- Pima: 3,628
- Pinal: 1,363
- Coconino: 1,345
- Navajo: 2,512
- Apache: 1,927
- Mohave: 584
- La Paz: 217
- Yuma: 2,841
- Graham: 48
- Cochise: 178
- Santa Cruz: 833
- Yavapai: 367
- Gila: 54
- Greenlee: 11
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.
