Arizona passes 50,000 mark in confirmed COVID-19 cases
Detail of samples of people with COVID-19 symptoms (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
PHOENIX - Arizona has now passed the 50,000 mark in confirmed COVID-19 cases. The state Department of Health Services reported 2,592 additional cases as of Sunday, increasing the statewide total to 52,390.
Health officials also reported one more known death, pushing Arizona’s total so far to 1,339.
The state’s surge in additional cases this week set daily records for hospitalizations, ventilator use and use of intensive care beds for coronavirus patients.
Arizona set a daily new-case record of 3,246 on Friday. There were 3,109 cases reported Saturday preceded by 2,519 Thursday and 2,392 Tuesday.
MAP: Arizona Coronavirus cases by zip code
The state has emerged as a COVID-19 national hot spot since Republican Gov. Doug Ducey lifted his stay-home orders in mid-May.
Health officials have attributed the new cases to increased testing and to community spread of the virus.
Saying that data trends were headed in the wrong direction, Ducey on Wednesday reversed himself and allowed local governments to impose requirements for people to wear masks in public to curtail spread of the virus. Most cities have done that, while counties that include most of metro Phoenix and metro Tucson also imposed mask requirements.
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LIST: Arizona cities with face mask requirements
Coronavirus cases continue to skyrocket in Arizona and now, several cities are looking at possible mask mandates.
For most people, the coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. But for some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
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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.