The path towards reopening Arizona has started, but it will be gradual.
In an effort to track the changes, 12 News has started a daily live blog.
Here is the live blog for Monday, May 4.
Major updates:
- Gov. Ducey announced Monday that barbers and salons can reopen Friday May 8 and dine-in restaurants can open Monday May 11.
- There are now 8,919 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona as of Monday morning.
- 362 people have died from the virus or complications related to the virus in Arizona, as of Monday morning.
- The state does not record how many people have recovered.
- Gov. Ducey announces new rules for long-term care facilities reporting coronavirus cases to next of kin.
- Gov. Ducey extended the stay-at-home order through May 15 with modifications.
- Arizona retail shops will start to reopen Monday.
- Scroll down to see how many cases are in each ZIP code in Arizona.
Need to know:
-When is Arizona reopening? Frequently asked questions about COVID-19 restrictions
-VERSION EN ESPAÑOL
- Here's the national live blog for Monday, May 4
Where Arizona stands in the White House's reopening plan
The White House released "gating criteria" to help governors decide when to reopen their economies. Here's where Arizona is as of Monday.
Before we can begin a phased reopening, there must be a downward trajectory of influenza-like and COVID-like illnesses reported within a 14-day period. The data from Gov. Ducey's office shows reports of these symptoms have been going down since the stay-at-home order.
There also needs to be a downward trajectory of documented cases within a 14-day period and a downward trajectory of positive tests as a percent of total tests. The numbers are still coming in for the most recent week, so it's unclear if we've met this criterion yet.
Hospitals must also be able to treat all patients without crisis care, which state numbers show we are able to do.
Lastly, there needs to be a robust testing program in place for at-risk healthcare workers, including antibody testing. On April 27, Arizona announced a "testing blitz," making more people eligible to get tested for COVID-19.
The state also announced it is working with Sonora Quest Laboratories to get antibody testing without needing a provider's order or insurance in Arizona.
Opening dates set for barbershops, salons, dine-in restaurants
Friday May 8, barbers and salons may reopen. There will be reduced capacity and occupancy and enhanced sanitation protocols as well as physical distancing.
Monday May 11, dine-in services will reopen. There will be physical distancing inside these establishments. There will be more to follow on this, Ducey said, but they will have this week to prepare their dine-in openings.
Ducey announced the state is still working with the fitness industry and more will come on that.
There are now 8,919 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona, 362 deaths
There are now 8,919 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona with 362 coronavirus-related deaths, according to the state's latest numbers.
Cases are up from 8,640 confirmed cases on Sunday. There are no new reported deaths Monday.
One week ago, there were 6,716 cases and 275 deaths in Arizona.
Scroll down for more information.
Gov. Ducey announces new rules for long-term care facilities
In a new development, Gov. Ducey announced updated regulations for how long-term care facilities in the state report coronavirus cases to next-of-kin.
In Gov. Ducey's words: If you have someone in a long-term care facility, if they have COVID-19, you will be contacted immediately.
If someone else in your loved one’s facility has COVID-19, you would be contacted immediately.
If you moved your loved one out of their facility and into a different facility and they are approved, you would immediately be notified of the COVID-19 circumstances in that facility.
Mohave County confirms new death, six newly positive residents
The Mohave County Health Department (MCDPH) Nursing staff confirmed a new death in the county due to COVID-19. The county also confirmed six residents that have newly tested positive for the virus, bringing the county's total to 145.
The deceased individual was in the 75-85 age range in the Lake Havasu City service area, the county said.
The county's area map now lists 36 positive confirmed cases in the Lake Havasu City area, including four deaths, 92 in Kingman, with a total of 10 deaths there, 1 in “Other”(a small community,) and 16 in Bullhead City, including one death.
Arizona education officials discussing next year's plans
Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman convened the first meeting on Friday to discuss the reopening of schools for the 2020-2021 academic year.
This task force will work together to develop guidelines for how schools can safely resume operations in the coming months.
“While it is impossible to predict the future of this virus and what our public health situation may look like in July or August, teachers and schools must have a roadmap in order to safely plan for different contingencies,” said Hoffman.
“This group is committed to supporting students, educators, families, and school leaders as we navigate the on-going COVID-19 situation together.”
Arizona retail shops to start reopening Monday
Arizona retail stores will be allowed to reopen on Monday, but Gov. Doug Ducey says the shops will have to stick to certain restrictions to help keep customers safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
Starting Monday, May 4, retails stores can sell goods through delivery, window, walk-up or drive-through services, curbside delivery or appointment if they follow proper sanitation and physical distancing measures.
On Friday, May 8, those stores can partially open to customers as long as the shops provide social distancing services.
President Trump to visit Arizona
President Donald Trump will visit a Honeywell facility in Phoenix on Tuesday, May 5, the White House confirmed.
Honeywell added manufacturing capabilities in Phoenix to produce N-95 face masks in support of the U.S. government’s response to the coronavirus, COVID-19, the company announced at the end of March.
The event will not be open to the public.
More information on coronavirus cases from Monday
There are 8,919 cases and 362 deaths in Arizona as of Monday.
That's an increase of 279 new cases reported since Sunday. The death toll has not changed.
More than 4,100 new tests were reported Monday. There has been a total of 85,253 tests reported to the state as of Monday.
Eight percent of those tests have been positive.
Here's a county breakdown:
- Maricopa: 4,751
- Pima: 1,346
- Pinal: 468
- Coconino: 540
- Navajo: 800
- Apache: 549
- Mohave: 141
- La Paz: 14
- Yuma: 110
- Graham: 18
- Cochise: 39
- Santa Cruz: 34
- Yavapai: 93
- Gila: 14
- Greenlee: 2
According to Yavapai County health officials, the county has tested 2,632 residents.
Of those residents, 128 have been positive, 11 have recovered, and two have died.
The additional cases on Monday have been primarily attributed to testing at Mingus Mountain Academy.
In a statement, Mingus Mountain Academy said it is addressing a "cluster of cases" on campus despite taking steps to mitigate the risks of the coronavirus.
"We are grateful that thus far no one is showing any severe symptoms of the disease," the statement to Yavapai County Community Health Services read.
"However, we are monitoring the situation closely, and students and staff with positive test results are currently in isolation and receiving the best care possible. We wish them all a speedy recovery."
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 below and can find yours by clicking around or searching for your ZIP code in the top right of the map.
Click on the links below to find more information from each county's health department:
Arizona testing blitz results
A new plan to test up to 20,000 across the state began Saturday and will continue for the next two weeks.
The blitz will happen every Saturday for the next two weeks.
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.
