Coronavirus in Arizona: Confirmed cases top 400, with 6 known fatalities
Coronavirus cases in Arizona continue to rise, with 401 identified cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, reported by the state Wednesday.
Mohave County reported its first identified case, which means the county will start restricting businesses. Maricopa County reported it now has two cases in people under age 18.
Identified cases have increased 23% since Tuesday morning’s numbers update from the state. The percentage increase was lower Wednesday than it was on Monday and Tuesday.
On Tuesday, there were at least 326 identified cases and five known deaths reported by the state in its morning numbers update. The state’s database now reflects the sixth death, which was announced by Coconino County late Tuesday.
Three known deaths have occurred in Maricopa County, according to county data, as well as one in Pima County and one in Coconino County. It is unclear in which county one of the deaths happened. Coconino County’s first known death related to COVID-19 was announced on Tuesday.
Doctor tests positive
A physician at Phoenix Children’s Hospital tested positive for COVID-19, the hospital announced Wednesday morning. The doctor worked at one of the hospital’s ambulatory clinics. They had treated one patient on Friday and did not examine any other patients in person last week, the hospital said. They were not symptomatic while working on Friday and followed best practices for infection control.
“Per guidance from the CDC, Maricopa County Department of Health and our precautionary measures exercised in the clinic, exposure is unlikely,” the hospital said in a statement.
Still, the hospital notified the family and staff members who had been in contact with the physician.
While off-duty on Friday evening, the doctor started showing symptoms, and the test came back positive. The doctor is now isolating and recovering at home. They are believed to have been exposed to the virus in a community setting, the hospital said.
No other doctors or staff members have developed symptoms, the hospital said.
“We will continue to do our best to safeguard patients’ health, curb the spread of the virus and support our clinicians who are providing the best possible care in the most challenging of circumstances,” the hospital said.
. Of the 401 identified cases reported Wednesday morning, 357 were reported by private labs while 44 came from the state lab.
On Tuesday, cases were reported in several areas that weren’t previously publicly reported. The Gila River Indian Community announced two positive cases of COVID-19 from patients who visited a Gila River Health Care facility on Tuesday. Arizona State University said it has 15 students who have tested positive, while three members of the University of Arizona community had positive tests.
A majority of Arizona’s identified cases were in Maricopa County, with a total of 251 Wednesday, according to data on the state health department’s website.
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health provides additional details about its cases, including:
❚ The majority of identified cases are males, at 55%.
❚ There are now two identified cases in people under age 18.
❚ The largest age group represented in identified cases is those aged 18 to 39, at 38%.
❚ People aged 40 to 59 represent 33% of cases, while those over age 60 represent 28%.
❚ Of the 251 cases, 35, or 14%, are hospitalized.
❚ Thirteen are in the intensive care unit.
❚ Three have died.
Pima County had identified 49 cases, Navajo County had 37 cases, Pinal County had 23 and Coconino County had 23, according to state data. Apache County had seven cases and Yavapai County had four cases. Yuma County had three, while Graham County had two. Cochise and Santa Cruz counties each had one case included in the Wednesday state data update, but reported one more case each.
Cochise County confirmed a second identified case late Wednesday morning.
Santa Cruz County also said it has a second identified case, but did not provide further details.