ARIZONA, USA — In an effort to track the changes with the coronavirus outbreak in Arizona, 12 News has started a daily live blog.
Here is the live blog for Friday, Oct. 16.
Major updates:
- There have been 230,407 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 5,824 coronavirus-related deaths reported in Arizona as of Saturday.
- The state does not record how many people have recovered, but Johns Hopkins University estimates the number of people who have recovered.
- You can find COVID-19 testing sites here.
- Scroll down to see how many cases are in each ZIP code and additional information.
COVID-19 cases reported in Arizona on Saturday
There have been 230,407 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 5,824 coronavirus-related deaths reported in Arizona, according to the state's latest numbers.
That is an increase from 229,486 cases and 5,806 coronavirus-related deaths reported as of Friday.
A week ago, there were 224,084 cases and 5,746 deaths reported in Arizona.
921 new cases, 18 new deaths reported Saturday
The Arizona Department of Health Services reported 921 new cases and 18 new deaths on Friday.
Arizona reached 200,000 coronavirus cases on Aug. 27, 100,000 on July 6 and 50,000 cases on June 21. The state reached 5,000 coronavirus deaths on Aug. 29, 4,000 on Aug. 6, 3,000 deaths on July 23, 2,000 on July 9 and 1,000 on June 5.
Arizona's Rt, pronounced r-naught, was at 1.12 on Saturday, up from 1.11 on Wednesday.
The Rt is essentially a mathematical number that shows whether more people are becoming infected or less.
The concern is that any Rt over 1, no matter how small, means the virus may grow exponentially.
There were 5,469 cases reported on the collection date of June 29, the day with the most collected diagnoses so far. That is subject to change.
Health officials said the day with the highest number of reported deaths was July 17, when 101 people died. That is subject to change.
Health officials continued to stress that people should continue social distancing, wearing masks in public, and stay home when possible.
Free COVID-19 testing to be held Saturday in Buckeye
South Wellness partnered with Maricopa County to offer free COVID-19 testing in Buckeye over the next two weekends.
The testing will be offered at Buckeye Union High School from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday and Oct. 24.
It's a drive-thru test and people should get results within 72 hours.
You're asked to register online and bring your ID if you can.
Arizona's daily average for virus cases still rising
Arizona continues to see a slow yet steady increase in the average number of coronavirus cases reported each day as a decline that lasted through August and September reverses.
The state Health Services Department on Friday reported 738 new virus cases, bringing the total since the pandemic hit to 228,486.
The state also reported 17 new deaths, bringing the total to 5,806.
The 7-day rolling average is now at more than 750, up from below 500 on Oct. 1.
Arizona was a national hotspot for the virus in June and early July, with more than 3,000 new cases a day regularly being reported.
The above article is from The Associated Press.
1,200 fans to attend next Arizona Cardinals home game
The Arizona Department of Health Services is allowing the Arizona Cardinals to have about 1,200 fans in State Farm Stadium for their game against the Seattle Seahawks on Oct. 25.
The team announced the move on Friday. It will be the second time this season that fans will be allowed to watch the game from the stands.
A small group of staff, family members and friends were permitted to watch the Cardinals game against the Detroit Lions on Sept. 27.
This time, season ticket members will also be given the opportunity to attend.
Fans will be ordered to wear masks.
The 1,200 tickets will be allocated in pods of two on the east and west sides, with 600 per side.
Seats that will not be available will be zip-tied to prevent their use.
Tickets and parking will be fully digital. Concessions will also be a contact-less experience.
Virus cases at Arizona school send hundreds into quarantine
Gov. Doug Ducey says schools should maintain options for parents whether they prefer in-person or online instruction for their children.
Ducey spoke Thursday after touring a Phoenix charter school with U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.
A southern Arizona high school has closed temporarily after at least three people tested positive for the coronavirus.
The Pinal County Public Health Department ordered the closure because of the number of people who are now required to quarantine.
Officials at Combs High School in San Tan Valley say about 450 students and 20 staff members were told to quarantine while the larger school district investigates what is considered an outbreak.
The above article is from The Associated Press.
3 Phoenix Union schools report positive cases
Three Phoenix Union Schools reported positive virus cases among staff and a student-athlete on Thursday.
A student on the Betty H. Fairfax High School football team tested positive, and the campus immediately ceased all sports activities and began contact tracing.
Sports practices and games resumed after all people who possibly came in contact with the student were asked to quarantine for two weeks.
Meanwhile, office workers at Alhambra High School and the Academies at South Mountain High School were possibly exposed to the virus after individuals showing symptoms or who encountered an infected person went through the halls.
The office has been closed and will be cleaned. The offices will reopen on Monday.
All schools have notified people who were possibly exposed.
Phoenix Union students have been exclusively remote learning since the pandemic and will continue to do so at least through December.
8 more students test positive at Chaparral High School
Eight Chaparral High School students tested positive on Monday and Tuesday this week.
The new cases do not include the five previous reported cases.
The Maricopa County Department of Health will be contacting people who were in contact with the students and instructing them to do a 14-day quarantine.
Navajo Nation reports 31 new COVID-19 cases, no new deaths
Navajo Nation health officials on Thursday reported 31 new confirmed cases of COVID-19, but no deaths for the second consecutive day.
The latest figures bring the total number of cases to 10,819 including 14 delayed reported cases.
The known death toll remained at 571.
Tribal health officials say 114,515 people on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah have been tested for COVID-19 since the pandemic started and 7,360 have recovered.
A shelter-in-place order, mask mandate, daily curfews and weekend lockdowns remain in effect on the Navajo Nation.
Most people experience mild or moderate symptoms with the coronavirus, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.
The above article is from The Associated Press.
Valleywise Health to offer free flu shots on Saturday
Valleywise Health will offer free flu shots at three locations throughout the Valley on Saturday as health care experts continue to push for vaccinations during the coronavirus pandemic.
The free flu shots will be available from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Here is where the drive-thru and walk-up vaccinations will be available:
- Valleywise Community Health Center – South Phoenix/Laveen
- 5650 S 35th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85041
- Valleywise Community Health Center – Maryvale
- 4011 N. 51st Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85031
- Valleywise Community Health Center – Chandler
- 811 S. Hamilton St., Chandler, AZ 85225
No insurance is necessary.
Adults over the age of 18 can get vaccinations in the drive-thru while children from 6 months to 18 years old will be vaccinated outside of the car.
No appointment is necessary and walk-ups are welcome.
Masks are required.
Arizona health department sets up hotline to report businesses
The Arizona Department of Health Services has set up two ways for people to report local businesses that are not following COVID-19 guidelines.
People can report businesses through a hotline or through an online form:
- Submit a complaint online at www.azhealth.gov/complianceCOVID19
- Calling the COVID-19 Compliance Hotline at 1-844-410-2157
“There’s a role for the public as well: If you believe a business isn’t following these requirements, which were established for the safety of customers, employees, and the broader public, ADHS encourages you to share your concerns so local and state officials can follow up as needed,” AZDHS said in a statement.
RELATED: Arizona’s health department wants you to report businesses that don’t enforce safety requirements
Free masks available for some Arizonans
The Arizona Department of Health Services announced that some Arizonans would be able to get free masks from the state.
The department partnered with Hanes to provide free face masks to Arizona’s most vulnerable populations.
Anyone who is part of a vulnerable population (including, but not limited to, individuals with medical conditions or individuals age 65 or older), a student (or parents on behalf of students), school staff member or who may not be able to purchase one is able to get a free mask.
Each other will provide five washable, reusable cloth face masks, one order per household.
The department hopes to give out two million cloth face masks.
Anyone with questions can visit the department's FAQs page or contact Hanes at 1-800-503-6698.
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 here 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 Saturday
There have been 230,407 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 5,824 coronavirus-related deaths reported in Arizona.
That is an increase from 229,486 cases and 5,806 coronavirus-related deaths reported as of Friday.
There were 921 new cases reported on Saturday, an increase from the 738 reported on Friday.
There were 18 new deaths reported on Saturday, an increase in the 17 deaths reported on Friday.
There were 5,469 cases reported on the collection date of June 29, the day with the most collected diagnoses so far. That is subject to change.
Health officials said the day with the highest number of reported deaths was July 17, when 101 people died. That is subject to change.
In total, 13,085 new tests were reported on Saturday, an increase from 9,134 on Friday.
There have been a total of 1,928,128 PCR and Serology tests reported to the state as of Saturday.
9.9% of those tests have been positive as of Saturday, the same as Friday.
Here's a breakdown of the number of cases in each county:
- Maricopa: 149,202
- Pima: 26,843
- Pinal: 11,307
- Coconino: 4,684
- Navajo: 6,084
- Apache: 3,779
- Mohave: 4,178
- La Paz: 589
- Yuma: 13,190
- Graham: 1,022
- Cochise: 2,025
- Santa Cruz: 2,941
- Yavapai: 2,766
- Gila: 1,725
- Greenlee: 72
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.
Coronavirus facts you should know
