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 Thursday, April 2.
Major updates:
- There are now 1,598 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona
- 32 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
- Navajo Nation cases reach 214 with 7 deaths.
- Arizona is on a stay-at-home order, which took effect Tuesday at 5 p.m.
8 deaths, 241 cases on the Navajo Nation
Eight people have died of COVID-19-related complications on the Navajo Nation as of Thursday night.
There were 241 confirmed cases of the virus on the nation as of Thursday, an increase of 27 cases from the day before.
The Navajo Nation has extended the closure of its casinos and resorts. They will now stay closed until further notice.
The nation represents about 3% of Arizona's population but 10% of its COVID-19 cases. The most serious coronavirus cases on the Navajo Nation are being treated in Flagstaff.
Sedona closing popular hiking trails
The Coconino National Forest is closing several popular hiking trails during the COVID-19 pandemic. The closures will last until further notice.
There are now 1,598 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona, 32 deaths
The number of coronavirus cases across the state rose to 1,598, with 32 deaths as of Thursday morning, according to the state's official numbers.
Cases are up from 1,413 confirmed cases on Wednesday with 29 deaths.
One week ago, the state had 508 cases and eight deaths.
Here's a county breakdown Thursday morning, according to the state:
- Maricopa: 961
- Pima: 237
- Pinal: 69
- Coconino: 114
- Navajo: 129
- Apache: 19
- Mohave: 8
- La Paz: 2
- Yuma: 13
- Graham: 2
- Cochise: 4
- Santa Cruz: 2
- Yavapai: 34
- Gila: 1
- Greenlee: 1
Maricopa County's official numbers on their website show 964 cases of coronavirus in the county as of Thursday 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 22 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 Thursday morning.
Among Maricopa County cases, 183 (19%) were hospitalized and 68 (7%) were in the intensive care unit. Twelve people (1%) have died in Maricopa County.
89,000 people file for unemployment benefits in Arizona last week
The Arizona Department of Economic Security said there were 89,000 claims last week from people filing for unemployment benefits and 28,000 the week before.
The state previously averaged about 3,500 claims per week.
The announcement came on the same day that U.S. officials announced that a record 6.6 million people filed for unemployment benefits last week, beating a record set just last week.
Maricopa County starts donation program for medical supplies
Maricopa County Department of Public Health started a donation management program due to the severe supply chain disruption of Personal Protective Equipment.
The program allows for individuals and/or organizations who have a supply of materials commonly used by healthcare to donate it during this time of need.
Items that are currently being accepted at the donations warehouse include
· Surgical Masks
· N95 Respirators (Masks)
· Isolation Gowns
· Face Shields or Goggles
· Exam Gloves
Additional supplies are also needed, including:
· Thermometers
· Hand Sanitizer
· Paper Towels
· Disinfectant Wipes
Items can be brought to the Donations Warehouse at the Reception Area located at 1645 E. Roosevelt St, Phoenix AZ, 85006, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Arizona Post Offices is hiring for hourly positions
Arizona Post Offices are hiring for multiple positions throughout the state.
Hourly wages range from $17 to $19 with a variety of shifts available, including indoor and outdoor work.
The jobs are available now and the only place to apply is usps.com/careers. From the website, click on “Search Jobs,” select “Arizona,” click “Start,” then click on the link for the appropriate job. A general overview of USPS employment requirements, specific job requirements, and hourly pay is available at the website.
All applicants must be at least age 18 at the time of hire and be a U.S. citizen or have permanent alien status. Carrier positions require a valid driver’s license and a minimum of two years documented driving experience.
Easier prescription refills during pandemic
An executive order from Gov. Ducey allows pharmacists to provide up to an extra 180-day supply of emergency and maintenance medications without a trip to the doctor.
The order is meant to help the elderly and medically at-risk avoid an extra trip to the doctor during the coronavirus outbreak. It is effective as of April 2.
Go to the governor’s website for full details.
Medical professionals can stay free at Valley hotels
Medical professionals on the front lines of the COVID-19 outbreak can stay at five Phoenix-area hotels for free.
"Operation Sleep Safe" aims to give doctors and nurses a chance to rest and keep their families safe by not sleeping at home and for free.
Those involved are asked to observe all the safety protocols they would at home or at the hospital to protect staff and other guests, including frequent temperature checks, washing hands, observing social distancing and other measures.
Participating hotels:
• Crowne Plaza Phoenix Airport, 4300 E. Washington St., Phoenix
• Hampton Inn and Suites Scottsdale Riverwalk, 9550 E Talking Stick Way, Scottsdale
• Holiday Inn Chandler, 1200 W. Ocotillo Road, Chandler
• Hilton Phoenix Airport, 2435 S. 47th St., Phoenix
• Holiday Inn Phoenix Airport North, 1515 N. 44th St., Phoenix
Cancer patients can get treatment if theirs was interrupted due to coronavirus
Cancer Treatment Centers of America is welcoming cancer patients from Valley hospitals whose treatments may have been interrupted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cancer patients are immunocompromised and fall into the high-risk category for the virus, the center said.
This would help acute care hospitals focus on treating COVID-19 cases and to mitigate the risk for cancer patients undergoing treatment there.
UMOM New Day Centers opens additional shelter units
UMOM New Day Centers will open an additional 20 shelter units in an effort to reduce the waitlist by 20 families and serve an additional 80 families annually.
The company said it anticipates a progressive increase in the number of families in Maricopa County who will need emergency shelter due to the coronavirus.
It said there are more than 170 families in Maricopa County waiting to escape the unsafe environment of living on the streets, sleeping in their cars, or residing in an unstable living situation.
This is a 30% increase from last week, with a wait time of 12 weeks.
“It is unacceptable that children are living on the streets, waiting months for access to a safe bed and hot meals,” Darlene Newsom, UMOM CEO, said in a statement.
“This problem is solvable, but we need the community to step up and help out.”
Arizona delegation voices support of Ducey's request for disaster declaration
Gov. Doug Ducey requested a presidential major disaster declaration from the federal government on Wednesday.
In a letter on Thursday, Sens. Martha McSally and Kyrsten Sinema, as well as Arizona's congressmen and women, wrote a letter to President Donald Trump in support of the request.
Ducey's request 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
Navajo Nation cases reach 214 with seven deaths
The Navajo Department of Health said the number of positive tests for COVID-19 has reached a total of 214 for the Navajo Nation as of Wednesday.
There remains a total of seven confirmed deaths related to COVID-19, as previously reported.
The 214 cases include the following counties: 97 in Navajo County, Arizona, 22 in Apache County, Arizona, 49 in Coconino County, Arizona, 14 in McKinley County, New Mexico, 22 in San Juan County, New Mexico and three in Cibola County, New Mexico.
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.
