Arizona reports 2,041 additional COVID-19 cases; averages rise

Arizona can’t use COVID-19 money for anti-mask grants, feds say

In a letter to Ducey, the Treasury Department said the grant programs are "not a permissible use" of the federal funding.

PHOENIX - Arizona on Oct. 6 reported 2,041 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and 39 more deaths amid increases in the state’s rolling averages of additional cases and deaths over the past two weeks.

The state’s pandemic totals increased to 1,108,830 cases and 20,250 deaths, the Department of Health Service’s pandemic dashboard reported.

According to Johns Hopkins University data, the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases rose from 2,467.1 on Sept. 20 to 2,762.6 on Sunday while the average of daily deaths from 40 to 41.6 during the same period.

The state’s dashboard wasn’t immediately updated to show the latest hospitalization figures for COVID-19 patients.

MORE: Coronavirus in Arizona: Latest case numbers

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.
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
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.
Monitor your health daily

Symptoms for coronavirus COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. These, of course, are similar to the common cold and flu.

Expect a common cold to start out with a sore or scratchy throat, cough, runny and/or stuffy nose. Flu symptoms are more intense and usually come on suddenly, and can include a high fever.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear more slowly. They usually include fever, a dry cough and noticeable shortness of breath, according to the World Health Organization. A minority of cases develop pneumonia, and the disease is especially worrisome for the elderly and those with other medical problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or heart conditions.

To protect yourself, wash your hands well and often, keep them away from your face, and avoid crowds and standing close to people.

And if you do find yourself showing any of these flu or coronavirus symptoms - don't go straight to your doctor's office. That just risks making more people sick, officials urge. Call ahead, and ask if you need to be seen and where.