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 Wednesday, April 1.
Major updates:
- There are now 1,413 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona
- 29 people have died of the virus or complications related to the virus in Arizona
- The state does not track the number of people who have recovered
- Wimbledon has been canceled because of the outbreak. It's the first time the tournament has been canceled since World War II
- Gov. Doug Ducey's stay-at-home order for Arizonans went into effect Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Coconino County confirms 5th death
Five people have now died of coronavirus-related complications in Coconino County, the county health department announced Wednesday.
Price gouging accusation
Two Arizona congressmen are asking the federal government to investigate a medical supply vendor accused of trying to price gouge the Phoenix fire and police departments on N95 medical masks.
FULL STORY: Attorney general asked to investigate vendor accused of trying to price gouge first responders
Grand Canyon Closed
The U.S. Secretary of the Interior ordered Grand Canyon National Park closed to all non-residents as of Wednesday after receiving a letter from Coconino County health officials.
There are now 1,413 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona, 29 deaths
The number of coronavirus cases across the state rose to 1,413, with 29 deaths as of Wednesday morning, according to the state's official numbers.
Cases are up from 1,289 confirmed cases on Tuesday with 24 deaths.
One week ago, the state had 401 cases and six deaths.
Here's a county breakdown:
- Maricopa: 871
- Pima: 217
- Pinal: 65
- Coconino: 85
- Navajo: 102
- Apache: 17
- Mohave: 7
- La Paz: 2
- Yuma: 12
- Graham: 2
- Cochise: 4
- Santa Cruz: 2
- Yavapai: 24
- Gila: 1
- Greenlee: 1
Maricopa County's official numbers on their website show 873 cases of coronavirus in the county as of Wednesday morning.
The county changed its age ranges in its test results starting on Tuesday morning.
Instead of 0-17, the first age group is now 0-19 years old. There are 19 cases in that age group.
The new 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 Wednesday morning.
Among Maricopa County cases, 158 (18%) were hospitalized and 58 (7%) were in the intensive care unit. Eleven people have died in Maricopa County.
Navajo Nation cases reach 174 with seven deaths
The Navajo Department of Health said the number of positive tests for COVID-19 has reached a total of 174 for the Navajo Nation as of Tuesday.
There are now a total of seven confirmed deaths related to COVID-19.
The 174 cases include 85 in Navajo County, 17 in Apache County, 40 in Coconino County, 10 in McKinley County, New Mexico, 15 in San Juan County, New Mexico, one in Cibola County, New Mexico and six in San Juan County, Utah.
ICE detainee has COVID-19
A person detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Arizona was diagnosed with COVID-19.
The department says the patient is a 45-year-old person from Guatemala who was detained in Eloy. It's the first case of coronavirus at an Arizona ICE facility.
Gov. Doug Ducey requests major disaster declaration from federal government
Gov. Doug Ducey requested a presidential major disaster declaration from the federal government on Wednesday.
It is a procedural step to pull down necessary assets and resources to assist Arizona’s coronavirus response efforts.
If it is approved, the declaration will "provide access to expanded mental health care, supplement the efforts of tribal health care workers, provide grants to reduce the risk of loss of life or property during future emergencies, make available legal assistance to low-income Arizonans, expand food assistance and other services to low-income households impacted by COVID-19 and more," the governor's office said in a statement.
If approved, the declaration will provide assistance to the following programs in Arizona:
- Crisis Counseling Program;
- Disaster Case Management;
- Disaster Unemployment Assistance;
- Disaster Legal Services;
- Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program;
- Hazard Mitigation Grant Program;
- Other appropriate Stafford Act disaster assistance programs
St. Mary's Food Bank to hold mobile drive-thru pantry in Phoenix
St. Mary’s Food Bank and The Salvation Army will host a second mobile pantry at the Kroc Center (1375 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix) from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday.
Families will stay in their cars and one volunteer will load the car with food before they leave. Family information will be taken by another volunteer from a safe distance.
The northwest lot of the Kroc Center will be used for the distribution, which will include emergency food boxes, frozen meats, fruits, vegetables, eggs and other items.
Maricopa County Animal Care and Control suspends volunteer program
County officials announced it has suspended the volunteer program as of Wednesday.
"Animal Care and Control management feels this is the safest option for staff, volunteers and the community at large considering the spread of COVID-19 and the Governor’s orders," a spokesman said.
County officials have seen a dramatic drop in the number of animals coming to the shelter. They have also suspended some in-person services and implemented adoptions by appointment only.
Arizona National Guard soldiers bring medical equipment to Navajo Nation
An Arizona National Guard UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter flew to Kayenta on the Navajo Nation on Tuesday with 300 sets of medical personal protective equipment.
The mission was in response to fill the critical shortage of personal protective equipment identified by an Arizona National Guard medical assessment team that arrived on ground two days earlier.
"The clinic at Kayenta was totally out of supplies," Col. Timothy Pfeifer said in a statement.
"When something happens like this coronavirus outbreak, the demand for PPE is greater than the normal on-hand supply. There isn't always a supply for conditions like this and when the whole world is looking for PPE it is hard to get resupply."
HonorHealth launches COVID-19 symptom checker and live chat
HonorHealth has a COVID-19 symptom checker and a live chat on its website.
"Use this tool to check your symptoms or connect with a caregiver," the website reads.
"We can help you understand which steps you should take based on your symptoms and other factors."
You can access it here.
Calls to close Grand Canyon increase after resident gets virus
People want the federal government to close Grand Canyon National Park after a resident tested positive for the coronavirus.
The man who tested positive lived at a dorm within the park and worked at a lodge run by a park concessionaire. He has been in isolation.
Members of Congress and city, county and tribal officials have urged the Interior Department to approve a request from the park to close.
The Park Service has been deciding whether to shut down individual sites on a park-by-park basis, in consultation with state and local health officials.
The agency said Tuesday that no decision has been made.
Phoenix attorneys giving away $200 gift cards
Attorneys with Lerner and Rowe will be giving away $200 Walmart gift cards every Monday and Friday in an effort to spread positivity during the coronavirus pandemic.
The event will be live-streamed on the firm’s Facebook page. Go to this link to learn more about how to enter.
Federal coronavirus rescue plan could pump billions into Arizona
The $2.2 trillion federal coronavirus aid plan is expected to send about $4.2 billion to Arizona.
The state Legislature's budget analysts said that includes $2.8 billion to help the state and big cities and counties and new money for K-12 schools and public universities.
The state alone is expected to get $1.55 billion to deal with the effects of the virus.
Phoenix Zoo announces job layoffs, furloughs in wake of coronavirus outbreak
The Phoenix Zoo said it has faced an "unprecedented loss of revenue" after being forced to close to the public and has "implemented several cost-cutting measures that regrettably included job eliminations and furloughs, as well as scaled back hours for several staff and pay reductions for all zoo leadership."
The zoo is a nonprofit charitable organization that cares for more than 3,000 animals. It relies "heavily on ticket sales, food and retail sales, memberships and donations," it said in the statement.
"This situation makes it impossible to support normal operating expenses without the risk of depleting zoo resources entirely."
The zoo said it looks forward to "better times ahead when we are once again able to welcome guests back to the zoo."
Out of Africa Safari Park open for drive-thru
The safari park in Camp Verde announced Wednesday that it would remain open as a drive-thru.
"We are not able to offer walking through the park only driving in your car," the park said.
"We do have box lunch options available for take out and you can tail gate in the parking lot or eat in your car. Please continue to practice social distancing when you use our restrooms and wash your hands."
Articles from Tuesday:
Other articles from this past week:
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.
Coronavirus facts you should know
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
