Arizona Coronavirus: 2,726 Sick, 80 Die; Ducey's Executive Orders

ARIZONA — Gov. Doug Ducey has issued a series of executive orders aimed at protecting Arizonans from the new coronavirus, which public health officials say is widespread across the state and sickened 151 more people from Tuesday to Wednesday, bringing the total to 2,726.

At least 80 people have died from COVID-19, as the illness caused by the virus is known. At least 15 of those deaths are linked to coronavirus infections in nursing homes in Maricopa County, and one of Ducey's new orders outlines steps all nursing homes and long-term care facilities in the state should take to separate residents who are infected from those who are not.

The governor's orders also require travelers from three states in the Northeast hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic to self-quarantine for 14 days after arriving at an Arizona airport.

Travelers From 3 States Must Quarantine

To slow the coronavirus spread, Gov. Doug Ducey issued a series of executive orders, including placing restrictions on some travelers.

Maricopa County, the state’s most populous county and home to Phoenix, the 10th largest metropolitan area in the country, is the epicenter of the Arizona outbreak with 37 deaths. On Wednesday, there were 1,556 confirmed coronavirus cases, up 62 from the day before. The county health department said 87 people living in nursing homes have contracted the illness, and 15 of them have died.

In Pima County, where 16 people have died, coronavirus cases increased by 49 to 464.

Health officials warn that the total number of cases in Arizona could be much higher than the numbers suggest due to problems associated with testing.

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By the numbers:

Coronavirus cases in Pima County, as of Wednesday:

Coronavirus Cases in Maricopa County, as of Wednesday:

Also, according to Maricopa County health officials, 77 coronavirus cases and 13 related deaths — up from 11 cases and three deaths reported Monday — are tied to long-term care facilities in the county.

The number of people who have been hospitalized in Maricopa County due to the coronavirus, currently 288, increased by 30 from Monday to Tuesday. That’s 19 percent of the total coronavirus cases in the county. Of those, 94 people, or 6 percent of people who require hospitalization, required intensive care unit treatment.

The impact on businesses in Arizona and the rest of the country has been enormous. Ducey banned commercial landlords from evicting businesses and nonprofits during the coronavirus crisis.

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Johns Hopkins University’s coronavirus case tracker showed 402,923 people had been sickened by the virus in the United States and 13,007 had died as of midday Wednesday. Although the United States leads the world in new coronavirus cases, the death tolls in Spain and Italy are higher. Spain had 146,690 cases and 14,673 deaths as of midday Wednesday, and Italy had 139,422 cases and 17,669 deaths.

U.S. Coronavirus Blog: The Latest Wednesday

Here are some of the coronavirus headlines from Arizona:

‘I Sit Here Crying’: Phoenix Daughter’s Anguish

Diane Alcantar is physically alone in her Phoenix home, but her anguish isn’t. Untold numbers of Americans feel similarly helpless as their parents and grandparents fight the coronavirus alone in their hospital beds.

MLB, Union Eye Plan To Play All Games In Arizona

Major League Baseball and its players are considering the possibility of starting their season with all teams playing at closed facilities in the Arizona area, according to reports from multiple media outlets.

Here’s How Bad It Could Get By August

The virus is projected to kill more than 81,000 people nationwide, based on calculations by a Seattle-based health statistics center. If the analysis is correct, Arizona won’t have a hospital bed shortage.

Ducey Bans Business, Nonprofit Evictions

The governor’s executive order banning commercial landlords from evicting businesses and nonprofit groups struggling financially due to the coronavirus through May 31.

Apply Quickly For SBA Paycheck Protection

The Small Business Administration is now taking applications for its Paycheck Protection Program. Because applications are approved on a first come, first served basis, the governor of Arizona is asking people not to wait too long.

Free Child Care Available To Front-Line Health Workers

Essential workers in Arizona may be eligible for financial help for child care during the coronavirus crisis.

Coronavirus: Virtual Reality A Sports Game-Changer

Sports fans haven’t had much to cheer about over the past several weeks, but virtual reality could change that.

More Resources

• The New Coronavirus: Your Questions Answered
• Latest Coronavirus Myths: Malaria Drug, Face Masks, Mail Safety
• Stay-At-Home Survival Guide In America: Food Delivery And More
• Here's How To Help Charities Help People Impacted By Coronavirus
• How Does The Coronavirus Test Work?
• How To Talk To Your Kids During Coronavirus
• 12 Work-From-Home Tips
• Myths & Facts: How Coronavirus Is Transmitted