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 Wednesday, July 1.
Major updates:
- There have been 84,092 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona and 1,720 coronavirus-related deaths, as of Wednesday morning.
- The state does not record how many people have recovered, but Johns Hopkins University estimates 9,411 have recovered.
- Scroll down to see how many cases are in each ZIP code and additional information.
RELATED: Gov. Ducey orders new business closures, school delays to limit spread of coronavirus across Arizona
COVID-19 cases reported in Arizona on Wednesday
There have been 84,092 people with confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona and 1,720 coronavirus-related deaths as of Wednesday, according to the state's latest numbers.
That is an increase from 79,215 cases and 1,632 coronavirus-related deaths reported as of Tuesday.
A week ago, there were 59,974 cases and 1,463 deaths reported in Arizona.
Arizona's case rate not slowing down
The increase in cases has researchers very worried. Arizona State University's Dr. Joshua LaBaer, director of the ASU Biodesign Institute, compares the climbing numbers to the constant velocity of a car. LaBaer said while the numbers are holding steady, they are doing so at the rate of several thousand a day compared to several hundred a day earlier this spring.
LaBaer also says Arizona's hospital system is under great stress.
"What we are hearing from the various hospitals is that they are filling up - that the staff in the hospitals is very concerned for the safety of the patients and also for their own safety. They are working long hours. Taking care of COVID-19 patients is a challenging task."
Vice President Pence says Gov. Ducey has done a good job in Arizona
In a brief stop in Arizona, Vice President Mike Pence praised Gov. Doug Ducey for his handling of COVID-19.
Pence said hospitals were at a manageable capacity. He was on a tour of hot spots for infection in the state, including Texas, Arizona an Florida.
Pence said Arizona and other states would get another supply of remdesivir, a drug that helps severe COVID-19 patients recover at a quicker rate.
Little evidence that protests spread coronavirus in US
Public health experts say there is little evidence that the protests that erupted after George Floyd’s death caused a significant increase in coronavirus infections.
If the protests had driven an explosion in cases, experts say, the jumps would have started to become apparent within two weeks — and perhaps as early as five days.
But that didn’t happen in many cities with the largest protests.
The Associated Press reviewed trends in daily reported cases in 22 U.S. cities with protests.
It found post-protest increases in several cities, but experts say other factors were more likely the main drivers.
The Associated Press filed this report.
Arizona health officials report record-high cases, deaths Wednesday
The Arizona Department of Health Services said it was reporting record-high cases and deaths on Wednesday.
There were 4,878 new cases and 88 new deaths reported Wednesday.
As usual, that does not mean that all those cases were diagnosed on Tuesday and all those people died on Tuesday.
There were 4,136 cases reported on the collection date of June 22, the day with the most collected diagnoses so far. That is subject to change.
Health officials say the day with the highest number of reported deaths was June 15, when 33 people died. That is subject to change.
You can find more information here.
Life Time Fitness loses liquor license
The Department of Liquor Licenses and Control announced Wednesday it is suspending the liquor licenses for two bars at a Life Time Fitness location in the Biltmore area of Phoenix.
The Life Cafe and Lounge and the Rooftop Bistro, owned by LTF Club Operations Company, were in violation because indoor gyms and fitness clubs were asked to pause operations until at least July 27.
Gov. Doug Ducey issued the order to close gyms, bars and limit crowds to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Valley Metro to require all riders to wear face coverings
Valley Metro is requiring all riders to wear face coverings starting Wednesday.
Riders will be required to wear them on all public transit services: bus, light rail, paratransit, Dial-a-Ride and vanpools. This includes on-board vehicles and at stops, stations and transit centers.
Officials say the requirement will help reduce the spread of the COVID-19 and foster a safe environment for transit workers and riders.
The face covering must cover the rider’s nose and mouth and can include bandanas and scarves.
The only exceptions are children under the age of 2 and people with medical conditions that prevent them from wearing masks.
Transit workers will be instructed to not prevent riders without a face covering from boarding or riding.
Valley Metro will also offer masks to riders through field staff, outreach events and mobile distribution.
Pence to visit Ducey in Arizona on Wednesday
Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Phoenix on Wednesday to meet with Gov. Doug Ducey.
They will discuss "the efforts the state is taking to combat COVID-19." Later that evening, Pence will return to Washington D.C.
Pence was originally expected to visit Tucson and Yuma on Tuesday, where he would have held public campaign events.
The trip was then modified so Pence would only meet with Ducey on Tuesday before it was delayed by one day for unknown reasons.
RELATED: Vice President Mike Pence will hold meeting with Gov. Ducey in Phoenix, but no campaign events
Navajo Nation cases grow by 17, one new death
The Navajo Department of Health reported 17 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and one more death.
The total number of COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation is 7,549.
The total number of deaths is 364 as of Tuesday.
Reports from all 12 health care facilities on and near the Navajo Nation indicate that approximately 5,218 individuals have recovered from COVID-19.
55,626 people have been tested for COVID-19.
Arizona faces new closures as hospitals prep for virus surge
Arizona hospitals are hiring out-of-state nurses, squeezing in more beds and preparing for the possibility of making life-and-death decisions about how to ration care as they get ready for an expected surge of coronavirus patients.
In one of the nation’s worst hot spots, parents, teachers, businesses and their customers also are hunkering down for at least another month of state-imposed closures in a belated effort to slow the spread of the virus and limit overcrowding at hospitals.
Arizona and several other states that were reopening their economies have clamped back down over the past week, though Gov. Doug Ducey has gone the furthest.
The above article is from the Associated Press.
Analysis: Virus surge forces Arizona gov's hand on masks
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is imploring residents to use face masks to help slow the spread of coronavirus.
While the Republican governor never discouraged the use of masks, until Monday he had never given their usage a full-throated endorsement.
The change is the latest sign that Ducey, similar to some other Republican governors nationwide, is being forced to set political considerations aside amid surging cases in the Grand Canyon state.
On Monday, Ducey ordered the closing of bars, nightclubs and water parks while also pushing back that start date of public schools.
The above article is from the Associated Press.
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
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 Wednesday
There have been 84,092 people with confirmed cases of coronavirus in Arizona and 1,720 coronavirus-related deaths as of Wednesday.
That is an increase from 79,215 cases and 1,632 coronavirus-related deaths reported as of Tuesday.
That's an increase of 4,878 new cases reported on Wednesday, a record-high and an increase from the 4,682 new cases reported on Tuesday.
There were 88 new deaths reported on Wednesday, a massive increase from the 44 new deaths reported on Tuesday.
In total, 20,151 new tests were reported on Wednesday, a decrease from the 23,471 new tests reported on Tuesday.
There have been a total of 721,985 PCR and Serology tests reported to the state as of Wednesday.
10.2% of those tests have been positive, an increase from the 9.9% on Tuesday.
Here's a county breakdown:
- Maricopa: 52,266
- Pima: 8,387
- Pinal: 3,777
- Coconino: 1,941
- Navajo: 3,703
- Apache: 2,381
- Mohave: 1,142
- La Paz: 345
- Yuma: 6,485
- Graham: 108
- Cochise: 657
- Santa Cruz: 1,802
- Yavapai: 771
- Gila: 309
- Greenlee: 18
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.
