PHOENIX — There is a lot of news surrounding 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 Friday, April 3.
Major updates:
- There are now 1,769 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona
- 41 people have died from the virus or complications related to the virus in Arizona
- The state does not track the number of people who have recovered
- Arizona is on a stay-at-home order, which took effect Tuesday at 5 p.m.
There are now 1,769 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona, 41 deaths
The number of coronavirus cases across the state rose to 1,769, with 41 deaths as of Friday morning, according to the state's official numbers.
The number is up from 1,598 confirmed cases on Thursday with 32 deaths.
One week ago, the state had 665 cases and 13 deaths.
Here's a county breakdown Friday morning, according to the state:
- Maricopa: 1,049
- Pima: 280
- Pinal: 77
- Coconino: 126
- Navajo: 148
- Apache: 17
- Mohave: 9
- La Paz: 2
- Yuma: 13
- Graham: 2
- Cochise: 5
- Santa Cruz: 3
- Yavapai: 35
- Gila: 2
- Greenlee: 1
It was the first time since the outbreak began that the number of cases in Maricopa County alone topped 1,000.
According to the latest county numbers, the majority of cases -- 562 -- were men. Women made up 488 cases.
The age group that made up the most cases in Maricopa County were 20-44 years old, with 39% of cases. There were 36% of cases between the ages of 45-64 and 23% of cases in the 65 and older category.
There were two cases of people between the ages of 0 and 19.
12 deaths on the Navajo Nation
The number of COVID-19 cases on the Navajo Nation has increased by 29 cases since Thursday. The nation reached 270 cases as of Friday.
Twelve people have now died of coronavirus-related complications on the nation.
Gov. Ducey ordering salons to close
Gov. Doug Ducey has updated his list of essential services that can stay open under his "Stay Home, Stay Healthy, and Stay Connected" order. These businesses must now close (if they are not already) by 5 p.m. Saturday:
- Barbers
- Cosmetology, Hairstyling, Nail Salons and Aesthetic Salons
- Tanning Salons
- Tattoo Parlors
- Spas
- Massage Parlors
Amenities at public parks that do not allow for social distancing or proper hygiene, such as basketball courts, splash pads, playgrounds and public restrooms will close, but public parks will stay open.
Communal pools at hotels, condos, apartment complexes and parks have also been ordered to close, as have swap meets.
These services have been deemed essential and allowed to stay open:
- Personal Hygiene services for vulnerable adults and those with special needs
- Daycare centers
- Hotels, motels and RV parks
- Respite and palliative care
Navajo Nation police fining curfew violators
The Navajo Nation says 241 cases of coronavirus and eight deaths connected to it have been confirmed on tribal land as of Thursday night. An additional 1,796 people tested negative.
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has asked people to make personal protection masks and donate them if they can.
Tribal police will now issue citations to people violating the 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew that was enacted Monday.
4 more cases of coronavirus confirmed in Mohave County
The Mohave County Department of Public Health has confirmed four more cases of coronavirus, it was announced Friday.
The number of coronavirus cases the state health department had for the county as of Friday morning was nine, but the county recorded 12.
The 9th positive case of COVID-19 is in the Bullhead City service area and the 10th is in the Lake Havasu City service area. The 11th case is in the Lake Havasu City service area. The 12th is out of the Kingman service area.
All of the cases are adults.
The 9th case is being treated in the hospital under strict isolation protocols and the 10th is not hospitalized at this time and recovering at home. The 11th is in isolation, recovering at home. The 12th is also in isolation and recovering at home.
There are now a total of twelve confirmed cases in Mohave County, five in Lake Havasu City, two in Bullhead City, and five in Kingman.
“The increase in positive cases across the county indicates a stronger presence of COVID-19 in our communities," Mohave County Public Health Director Denise Burley said in a statement.
"It is of utmost importance for all residents and visitors to stay home unless absolutely necessary, practice good hygiene, and engage in physical distancing (6 ft.). We must work individually and as a community to keep our case numbers down.”
City of Mesa will temporarily stop collecting recycling
The City of Mesa said blue recycle and green yard waste barrels will be collected by the same truck and this material will be temporarily landfilled.
This is due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its negative impact on the City’s budget.
It will be temporary. There will be no change to trash or recycle collection days.
Residents should place their barrels out for collection after 6 p.m. the night before or no later than 6 a.m. on their normal recycle service day.
Residents are asked to continue to only place accepted items in the correct barrel to avoid contamination when recycle services resume to normal operation.
Valley Metro to run RAPID/Express bus service on reduced schedule
Northern Arizona University to provide credit to departing students
Phoenix parks to limit amenities for Easter weekend
The Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department announced additional temporary closures of amenities within its public parks, an operational change at its golf courses and a policy for the Easter holiday weekend.
For April 11 and 12, the following policy will be in effect:
- Flatland parks will be open for residents to access walking paths and green space only
- No picnicking will be allowed
- Restrooms will remain open
- Parking lots for flatland parks will be closed, but those with a disabled parking placard will be allowed access
Effective immediately and until further notice, all ramadas and picnic tables are temporarily closed.
The department will also implement a change with golf cart rentals at the city's eight golf courses by limiting cart use to one person at a time unless it is two family members.
There are already limited access policies in place at Papago Park's Hole in the Rock, Camelback Mountain's Echo Canyon Trailhead, Piestewa Peak Trailhead, and South Mountain Park's Pima Canyon Trailhead and Dobbins Lookout.
The department had also closed all playgrounds, fitness equipment, basketball and volleyball courts, and sports complexes located within city parks.
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.
