There is a lot of news regarding 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 Tuesday, April 7.
Major updates:
- There are now 2,575 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona as of Tuesday morning.
- 73 people have died from the virus or complications related to the virus in Arizona, as of Tuesday morning.
- The state health department is not tracking the number of recovered cases
Need to know:
- Here’s how to get tested for coronavirus in Arizona
- 12 News, state broadcasters team up and hold coronavirus town hall with state leaders
- Here are the national updates for coronavirus on April 7
- Gov. Ducey enacts more executive powers
There are now 2,575 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona, 73 deaths
There are now 2,575 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona, with 73 coronavirus-related deaths, according to the state's latest numbers.
Cases are up from 2,456 confirmed cases on Monday with 65 deaths.
One week ago, the state had 1,289 cases and 24 deaths.
Here's a county breakdown:
- Maricopa: 1,495
- Pima: 415
- Pinal: 120
- Coconino: 179
- Navajo: 222
- Apache: 28
- Mohave: 23
- La Paz: 3
- Yuma: 13
- Graham: 2
- Cochise: 9
- Santa Cruz: 4
- Yavapai: 57
- Gila: 3
- Greenlee: 1
Maricopa County's official numbers on their website show 1,494 cases of coronavirus in the county as of Tuesday morning.
According to the county, there are 36 cases in ages 0-19.
The 20-44 age group has 39% of cases, 36% cases fall between 45 and 64 years old and 23% of cases are 65 years and older, as of Tuesday morning.
Among Maricopa County cases, 288 (19%) were hospitalized and 94 (6%) were in the intensive care unit. 35 (2%) people have died in Maricopa County.
Inmates test positive for coronavirus
Two inmates in Arizona corrections facilities tested positive for COVID-19, the department of corrections announced Tuesday.
One of the inmates has been at a community hospital since March 27 and tested negative twice before while at the hospital.
The second inmate is at a minimum-security third-party facility contracted with ADC in Marana.
Of 42,000 department of corrections inmates, only 60 have been tested. Forty-eight have tested negative and two have tested positive, the department says.
Blue Ridge Unified School District re-starts meal program, will give students 3 days of meals
Blue Ridge Unified School District Superintendent Michael Wright announced Tuesday that the district will continue to give students free meals, but will give out three days worth of meals at a time instead of one meal a day starting April 14.
The district will hand out the meals on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon.
This comes just one day after announcing that the meal program was suspended.
Wright also said that buses will be used as the primary source of distribution and that meals will be delivered to McNary and Whiteriver.
Anyone who picked up meals at Blue Ridge Elementary will be able to pick up meals at the Re-Center, which is located at 814 White Mountain Blvd. in Pinetop.
Because of this, there will be no food service on Monday, April 13. More information can be found on the Blue Ridge Unified School District website.
Ducey issues more executive orders
Gov. Doug Ducey enacted four more executive orders on Tuesday meant to help curb the spread of coronavirus and aid affected businesses. Here's a summary of the orders:
- Nursing homes and retirement facilities are now required to have electronic communication available so families can make talk virtually, and staff must also be equipped with PPE.
- Medical providers are required to be more transparent with details on patients and how many patients are in ICU.
- Anyone returning to Arizona from Connecticut, New Jersey or New York state must self-quarantine for 14 days.
- Small businesses and restaurants will be granted flexibility on packaging and labeling rules so they can sell more products while dining is restricted.
Arizona issues cease-and-desist letter over coronavirus ads
Attorney General Mark Brnovich issued a cease-and-desist letter to Chandler-based Prepper's Discount, Inc.
The company allegedly advertised merchandise "in a manner which deceptively implies it could provide immunity from COVID-19," the department said.
Mohave County confirms 22 positive cases
The Mohave County Health Department has confirmed the county now has 22 individuals who are infected with the coronavirus.
The county stated there are now 14 positive confirmed cases in the Lake Havasu City area, six in Kingman, and two in Bullhead City.
Arizona putting Goodwill employees back to work
Gov. Doug Ducey today announced $2 million in funding to put 400 Arizona Goodwill employees back to work.
The money will also be used to expand support and services to Arizonans in need.
The funding is part of a $50 million COVID-19 relief package passed by the state Legislature and signed into law last month by Ducey.
Arizona DOT increasing truck weight limits
The Arizona Department of Transportation is increasing truck weight limits so that supplies can get to those in critical need more efficiently, Gov. Doug Ducey announced Tuesday.
This includes, among other essential items, medical supplies related to the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, supplies necessary for community safety and preventing the spread of COVID-19 and food and household items for emergency restocking of stores.
To support truck drivers making hauling critical goods, last week, ADOT temporarily reopened two long-closed rest areas near Flagstaff, Christensen on Interstate 17 and Parks on Interstate 40 exclusively for commercial vehicles, offering parking, portable toilets and handwashing facilities.
Walgreens to expand drive-thru testing in Arizona
Walgreens is working to expand drive-thru testing to 15 new sites in seven states, including Arizona.
The other states involved are Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee and Texas.
The 15 locations are planned for select markets with escalating rates of COVID-19 cases, according to the company.
Walgreens plans to be able to test up to 3,000 people per day across these additional sites, which are expected to be activated beginning later this week.
Arizona corrections staff to be given fabric face coverings
The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry will distribute fabric face coverings to all employees over the next few days.
The face coverings are being made by inmates at Perryville, Douglas, and Florence complexes.
The department is making enough so each employee will receive two face coverings. So far more than 8,000 face coverings have been made, with more being made over the coming weeks.
Navajo Nation to enforce strict weekend curfew
The Navajo Nation issued an emergency order to implement a weekend-long curfew to slow the spread of COVID-19.
The curfew starts at 8 p.m. Friday, April 10 and ends at 5 a.m., Monday, April 12.
Essential employees are exempt from the curfew while working and with identification.
Valley festivals go virtual
- Scottsdale Arts Festival: Find more info here
- Bao and Dumpling Festival: Find info on "teaser" event here
Maricopa County Library District offers digital services
Maricopa County Library District facilities are closed until further notice, but county libraries are still providing critical services to the public, including digital learning opportunities.
The district has also extended due dates for books already checked out of a library and increased the number of electronic media items card holders can check out per month.
Arizona lowers federal ventilator request
Arizona has revised its request of ventilators from the national government from 5,000 to just 500, which the state expects to need soon to treat coronavirus patients.
The director of the Health Services Department said the ventilators will be used to equip every bed in a now-closed Phoenix hospital and some will be sent to the Navajo Nation.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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.
