This browser does not support the Video element.
Arizona receives $100M in funding for COVID-19 testing
PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona on Feb. 19 announced it would provide $100 million of federal funding to the state’s 15 counties for COVID-19 testing.
The state Department of Health Services said the $100 million represents an initial amount and is being provided for staffing, laboratory testing "and other activities critical to combating COVID-19."
The department’s announcement of the funding followed Pima County officials’ recent declaration that they might halt COVID-19 testing as of Monday because of a lack of funding.
This browser does not support the Video element.
Latest coronavirus numbers in Arizona - 2/19/21
FOX 10's Renee Nelson has the latest COVID-19 data from the Arizona Dept. of Health Services after 1,918 new cases and 145 additional deaths were reported on Feb. 19.
In another development, the department on Friday reported 1,918 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and 145 deaths, increasing the state’s pandemic totals to 804,116 cases and 1,918 deaths.
According to the state’s coronavirus dashboard, hospitalized COVID-19 patients occupied 1,738 inpatient beds as of Thursday, about a third of the pandemic high of 5,082 on Jan. 11.
With the reduction in COVID-19 hospitalizations, Phoenix-based Banner Health announced Friday it was easing visitor restrictions at hospitals though it said visitors still would be required to wear masked and would undergo health screening before entering.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher than reported because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
MAP: Arizona Coronavirus cases by zip code
FULL COVERAGE: fox10phoenix.com/coronavirus
Civil Air Patrol assisting with various relief efforts during COVID-19 pandemic
Normally, the citizen auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force is focused on STEM and aerospace education in schools, among other things, but the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic changed all that.
COVID-19 vaccine rollout sees uptick in demand for safe, low-cost needle disposal
An unintended consequence of COVID-19 has been a surge in new trash, from face masks, wipes, and gloves to now used syringes. As millions of vaccines roll out daily, the process of disposing of needles safely and efficiently can be quite the task.