21 new coronavirus deaths reported in Arizona; toll now 208
PHOENIX - Arizona health officials reported 21 additional coronavirus deaths, the most in a single day since the first death was reported on March 17.
Tuesday’s information from the state Health Services Department put the total number of virus deaths in Arizona at 208. A total of 5,251 cases have now been confirmed.
The new data comes as Gov. Doug Ducey is pondering when to reopen the economy, which has been mainly shut down since he issued a stay-at-home order on March 30. Schools, bars, restaurants and movie theaters have been closed since mid-March, and more than 342,000 people have filed for unemployment benefits in the past month as shuttered businesses shed employees.
The stay-at-home order expires late next week, but the Republican governor could extend it. He’s said he’s going to rely on data from federal and state health experts to make his decision on when to reopen the state for business.
On Monday, a few hundred protesters gathered at the Capitol to demand Ducey reopen the economy. His spokesman said he appreciated their passion but said he’s going to rely on facts to decide when it is safe to reopen the economy.
The state’s largest hot spot is on the Navajo Nation, where 882 Arizona residents are among the 1,321 cases counted across Arizona, Utah and New Mexico, according to Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. Across the sprawling reservation, 45 deaths have been reported.
The White Mountain Apache Tribe in eastern Arizona on Sunday reported that nine inmates and four employees in its corrections department had tested positive for the virus.
None of the 13 people showed symptoms but were tested as a result of contact mapping. The inmates in question are in quarantine, while the officers are isolated at home, officials said.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.
In order to protect yourself from a possible infection, the CDC recommends:
- 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, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
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https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
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https://www.azdhs.gov/coronavirus
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