Third Record This Week: 3,200 New COVID-19 Cases In Arizona
Download mp3 (740.94 KB)Arizona once again reported a record number of new COVID-19 cases Friday. This time, 3,246 tests turned up positive.
It was the third record-breaking day this week. Tuesday and Thursday were also record-high days. The state had never reported more than 2,000 cases in a day until Tuesday. Friday's record is nearly double a record set just one week prior, when more than 1,600 cases were reported.
New cases have been skyrocketing in Arizona since Gov. Doug Ducey began reopening the state in mid-May. State data now show the percentage of tests each week with positive results has reached an all-time high.
Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ told KJZZ’s The Show she’s not ruling out stronger measures if cases continue to rise.
“We still have tools in the toolbox that we can use, whether that’s a statewide mandate for mask use, whether that’s a safer at home order," Christ said, adding that she is hopeful that won't be necessary if recent mitigation measures have the intended impact.
Gov. Ducey on Wednesday announced more detailed safety guidelines for businesses and allowed Arizona mayors to begin requiring face masks in their cities to slow the spread of the virus. Many mayors plan to do so, but Christ said it could take a few weeks before those measures show an effect.
