Arizona reports 374 new COVID-19 cases, 23 more deaths

Officials: Two Old Town Scottsdale bars forced to close for COVID-19 guidance violations

Bars will have to now be approved to reopen by the state health department.

PHOENIX - Two popular bars in Old Town Scottsdale have had their liquor licenses suspended for violating requirements to reopen under coronavirus protocol.

The Arizona State Health Department officials said Bottled Blonde and Casa Amigos were served non-compliance notices on August 29 to immediately close as mandated by Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order issued on June 29.

Authorities said the two bars were both in violation of social distancing, masking, dancing, standing, and table occupancy limitations.

Both bars had filed applications to reopen under the state’s released benchmarks indicating when businesses could reopen in Arizona once counties met the “moderate” stage.

State health officials said Maricopa County and two others met that stage on August 27.

Once counties reach the moderate stage, bars that are approved by the health department can offer dine-in restaurant service at 50% capacity. The use of masks is also required at all times by staff and customers within the business except while actively eating or drinking.

“Detectives will continue to enforce public health orders and take immediate actions against licensees who are observed showing general disregard for the welfare and safety of others,” Department of Liquor Director John Cocca said a statement.

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Casa Amigos and Bottled Blonde will remain closed until the state health department grants permission to reopen.

Meanwhile, Arizona health officials reported 374 additional confirmed coronavirus cases and 23 more known deaths as of August 30.

With those figures, Arizona has now had a total of 201,661 coronavirus cases since the pandemic started and at least 5,030 fatalities.

Of the case total, more than 130,000 have occurred in Maricopa County.

In general, the number of coronavirus infections is thought to be higher because many people have not been tested. Studies suggest people can be infected without feeling sick.

For most people, COVID-19 causes mild or moderate symptoms that clear up in a few weeks. But for some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

Tips for keeping a strong immune system

Exercising and eating right are vital.

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

MAP: Worldwide interactive Coronavirus case data

MAP: Arizona Coronavirus cases by zip code

FULL COVERAGE: fox10phoenix.com/coronavirus

CDC: How coronavirus spreads, symptoms, prevention, treatment, FAQ

Arizona COVID-19 resources, FAQ: azdhs.gov/coronavirus

On CoronavirusNOW.com, you'll find extensive coverage about COVID-19, including breaking news from around the country, exclusive interviews with health officials, and informative content from a variety of public health resources.

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How coronavirus differs from flu: Symptoms to watch for

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.

Right now there's one big difference between flu and coronavirus: A vaccine exists to help prevent the flu and it's not too late to get it. It won't protect you from catching the coronavirus, but may put you in a better position to fight it.

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.