Updates On Arizona Coronavirus Cases, Deaths
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March 26: Navajo Nation Reports 20 More Cases; Arizona County Has 2
The Navajo Nation reports 20 more cases of the coronavirus on its sprawling reservation and an rural Arizona county is no longer among the few without cases of the disease.
Navajo tribal officials announced Wednesday night that that the number of cases on the reservation had risen to 69, up from 49, with 43 in Navajo County in rural northeastern Arizona.
The tribe reported 14 other cases elsewhere in northeastern Arizona and 12 in northwestern New Mexico The tribe did not report any cases in the portion of the reservation in southeastern Utah.
Health officials in La Paz County in western Arizona on Wednesday said the two people with the coronavirus were recovering at home. No additional information was released.
The La Paz County cases left only two lightly populated eastern Arizona counties — Gila and Greenlee — without reported cases,
Arizona counties with reported cases are subject to a state order to close bars, indoor gyms and certain other businesses and to allow restaurants to provide only dine-in, takeout and pickup service.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said the number of cases on the reservation will continue to increase until people abide by the tribe's order for people to stay at home.
March 23: Pima County Woman Dies from Coronavirus
It’s the first death attributed to COVID-19 in Pima County. Health officials identified the victim as a woman in her 50s with underlying health conditions.
The county’s health department director warned there will be more who die from the coronavirus disease.
"Please take recommended precautions to slow the spread," said Health Department Director Bob England in a news statement.
So far, two others have died from the virus pandemic in Arizona and another Phoenix man died after trying to prevent the virus with a toxic ingredient.
As of Monday, there were 234 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and two coronavirus-related deaths in Arizona.
March 22: Arizona Reports 2nd Coronavirus Death; Cases Now Number 152
Public health officials said Sunday COVID-19 has killed a second person in Arizona, and statewide there are now 152 confirmed cases of the disease caused by the coronavirus.
Both Arizonans killed by COVID-19 were men from Maricopa County who had health problems. Health officials say the latest victim of the respiratory illness was in his 70s. They did not say when he died. Health officials also say they’re contacting people close to the man and telling them to watch for coronavirus symptoms.
News of the first Arizonan to die from the highly-contagious illness came late Friday. Officials said that COVID-19 took the life of a city of Phoenix worker, who was in his 50s.
March 21: Arizona's First Coronavirus-Related Death Was City Of Phoenix Worker
About 200 members of the Arizona National Guard were activated to help with food distribution as daily life becomes increasingly restricted by efforts to contain the coronavirus in the state, where the first death from the disease was reported Friday evening.
The first death in Arizona from the virus was reported by state and Maricopa County health officials, a man in his 50s with underlying health conditions. The Maricopa County Public Health Department said it was notifying people who had been close to the man and asking them to monitor themselves for symptoms.
In a statement from Phoenix City Manager Ed Zuercher to city employees, Zuercher confirmed Arizona’s first COVID-19 death was a city employee.
The employee worked in a remote office for the city’s aviation department, the statement said, and had limited contact with other employees. City staff who may have had contact with the patient had already been notified about his illness.
"While every effort is made in normal situations to protect the privacy of our employees, we made the decision to inform you all about this death because of the health emergency the world is facing," the statement said. "We will not discuss the name of the employee or any other details."
The death comes as officials are increasing testing capabilities, and the number of positive cases is expected to surge.
