CDC

A recent report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests statewide health measures may have reduced Arizona COVID-19 cases 75%. 

But that drop-off might not last.

The decline in coronavirus cases began roughly two weeks after statewide health measures went into effect, including mandating masks, restricting gatherings and closing certain businesses.

Joshua LaBaer of Arizona State University's Biodesign Institute says the decline shows the power of complying with healthy policies. But he worries a more relaxed approach to distancing and testing now threatens to reverse that progress.

"I think there are some early suggestions — looking at the numbers of new cases in the state — that we are showing a little bit of an uptick," he said. 

"We had, with all the safety mitigation factors, gotten ourselves down to only a few hundred new cases a day. But now we've been seeing sort of consistent numbers, more closer to 800 a day and 600 a day and 700 a day," LaBaer said. 

LaBaer recommends people continue to wear masks and avoid large gatherings.

Prior to safety mandates, a more than 150% rise in cases occurred after Gov. Doug Ducey lifted his stay-at-home order.