PHOENIX — The number of coronavirus cases and deaths in Arizona continues to rise.
In an effort to track the changes, 12 News has started a daily live blog.
Here is the live blog for Friday, June 26.
Major updates:
- There have been 66,458 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona and 1,535 coronavirus-related deaths, as of Friday morning.
- The state does not record how many people have recovered.
- Gov. Doug Ducey allowed cities to set own mask requirements
- Scroll down to see how many cases are in each ZIP code and additional information.
COVID-19 cases reported in Arizona on Friday
There have been 66,458 people with confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona and 1,535 coronavirus-related deaths as of Friday, according to the state's latest numbers.
That's up from 63,030 cases and 1,490 coronavirus-related deaths reported as of Thursday.
A week ago, there were 46,689 cases and 1,312 deaths reported in Arizona.
Banner Health hospitals activate 'surge plan'
A Banner Health spokesperson said Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa and several other facilities have activated a surge plan.
Surge plans are put in place to increase capacity in the ICU (intensive care unit), according to Banner Health. This means hospitals have the option to transfer patients and resources to different facilities in the system.
A Banner Health spokesperson said empty floors at Cardon Children's Hospital were being transitioned to use by patients who are not diagnosed with COVID-19.
The idea is to not put too much strain on any one hospital caring for critically ill patients.
Old Town Scottsdale bars, nightclubs closing
The entertainment group behind many of the Old Town Scottsdale bars and nightclubs announced they were voluntarily closing Friday.
Evening Entertainment Group includes Bottled Blonde Pizzeria, HiFi Kitchen + Cocktails, Casa Amigos Tacos + Tequila, and Skylanes.
A statement from the group read:
After careful consideration, and in light of Arizona's current spike in cases, we’ve made the decision to voluntarily close the following Evening Entertainment Group locations in Scottsdale's entertainment district: Bottled Blonde Pizzeria, HiFi Kitchen + Cocktails, Casa Amigos Tacos + Tequila, and Skylanes. We made significant efforts to maintain a safe environment, but feel that temporarily closing is the best way to support our team and our guests during this current spike. We will continue to monitor the situation, maintain open lines of communications with city and state officials, and will share updates on our reopening schedule as they become available. For updates, please visit eveningentertainmentgroup.com.
Maya Day & Night Club previously announced closure through at least July 5, blaming patrons for refusing to follow their guidelines.
Scottsdale Mayor Jim Lane commended police for working with businesses and warned other businesses to follow the law.
"As for those bars voluntarily shutting their doors, I wholly support any business that is making tough decisions for the sake of our overall community health," Lane said in an emailed statement Friday.
Friday marks second-straight day with more than 3,000 newly reported cases
There were 3,428 new cases of coronavirus reported in Arizona on Friday, state officials said.
That marked the second straight day that more than 3,000 new cases were reported in the state.
There were 3,056 new cases reported on Thursday, two days after the state had a record-high 3,591 new cases reported.
Tuesday's record broke a previous record set last Friday, when there were 3,246 new cases reported.
Friday's record broke a previous record set just last Thursday, with 2,519 new cases reported Thursday.
And Thursday's record broke a previous record set just last Tuesday, with 2,392 new coronavirus cases reported.
This week also marked the record-high deaths for Arizona.
The Arizona Department of Health Services reported a record-high 79 deaths on Wednesday.
However, that does not mean that all of those deaths occurred on the same day. That is just the number of deaths that were reported on Wednesday.
The department said 53 of the 79 deaths reported Wednesday were from death certificate matching.
According to the department, the highest single-day death toll appears to be on June 15, when there were 32 deaths. That information is subject to change.
You can find more information on deaths and when they occurred here.
Ducey asks Arizonans to follow rules, does not issue new order
Gov. Doug Ducey pleaded for residents to follow all social distancing guidelines, but he didn’t announce any new steps to curb the fast-spreading infection.
“Anyone can get this virus and anyone can spread this virus,” the governor said at a news conference.
“You are safer at home, you stay healthier at home.”
Ducey’s preferred symbol for the state’s reopening status, a traffic light, shifted from green to yellow.
“Arizona is on pause,” the governor said. “We do need to change direction … we’re getting hit hard now.”
He didn’t outline any changes in direction or paused activities.
The apparent intent was to urge residents to follow guidelines on wearing masks, social distancing and large gatherings.
Scottsdale bars close after Riot House was charged
A bar in Scottsdale was charged with a crime after allegedly failing to follow the city's coronavirus restrictions.
Eight others had notices served to them by the state liquor board.
Scottsdale Police charged Riot House, a bar in the Scottsdale Entertainment District, with failing to abide by the city's mask and social distancing requirements.
According to police, the staff and customers were not always masked and the bar was not requiring social distancing. Scottsdale Police said they became aware of this through social media postings from a bar employee.
Hours after that announcement, Riot House Hospitality, the bar's parent company, announced it would close three bars at least through the weekend.
Riot House, El Hefe and Dierks Bentley's Whiskey Row, all within the same block of the Entertainment District, will all close.
Maya Day + Night Club also announced Friday that it would close through the July 4th weekend "to respond appropriately to the recent increase in COVID 19 diagnoses in Maricopa County."
CDC expands list of groups at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expanded its list of individuals who are considered at an increased risk of getting severely ill from COVID-19.
The CDC explained that it's clear a substantial number of Americans are at increased risk of severe illness from the coronavirus pandemic – highlighting the importance of continuing to follow preventive measures.
Experts determined there was consistent evidence these conditions increase a person's risk, regardless of age:
- Chronic kidney disease
- COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Obesity (BMI of 30 or higher)
- Immunocompromised state (weakened immune system) from solid organ transplant
- Serious heart conditions, such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or cardiomyopathies
- Sickle cell disease
- Type 2 diabetes
Navajo Nation reports 121 new coronavirus cases, 1 death
The Navajo Department of Health has reported 121 additional positive cases of coronavirus on the Navajo Nation with one more known death.
That pushes the total of positive COVID-19 cases on the reservation to 7,278 with the death toll at 348 as of Thursday.
Preliminary reports from 11 health care facilities indicate about 3,859 people have recovered from COVID-19 with one hospital report still pending.
Tribal health officials say 52,458 people have been tested so far.
The Navajo Nation stretches into northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico and southeastern Utah. or most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks.
The above article is from The Associated Press.
Masks now required in public
Gov. Doug Ducey allowed individual Arizona cities to create their own policies about face-covering requirements and enforcement on Wednesday.
A face covering has proven to be effective at limiting the spread of COVID-19, according to the CDC. The virus is primarily spread by in-person contact through sneezes and coughs.
Many cities, including Phoenix, have adopted their own mask requirement that is now in effect.
How to get tested for the coronavirus in Arizona
Are you looking to get tested for coronavirus in Arizona?
If you have reason to believe you have contracted coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, this is what you should do.
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 Friday
There have been 66,458 people with confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona and 1,535 coronavirus-related deaths as of Friday.
That's up from 63,030 cases and 1,490 coronavirus-related deaths reported as of Thursday.
That's an increase of 3,428 new cases reported on Friday, an increase from the 3,056 new cases reported on Thursday.
There were 45 new deaths reported on Friday, an increase from the 27 new deaths reported on Thursday.
In total, 17,807 new tests were reported on Friday, a decrease from the 19,337 new tests reported on Thursday.
There have been a total of 636,950 PCR and Serology tests reported to the state as of Friday.
9.1% of those tests have been positive, an increase from the 8.9% on Thursday.
Here's a county breakdown:
- Maricopa: 39,626
- Pima: 6,836
- Pinal: 3,035
- Coconino: 1,713
- Navajo: 3,367
- Apache: 2,250
- Mohave: 927
- La Paz: 309
- Yuma: 5,323
- Graham: 75
- Cochise: 509
- Santa Cruz: 1,637
- Yavapai: 597
- Gila: 237
- Greenlee: 17
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.
