Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey is expected to hold a news conference Thursday to address the rising rate of COVID-19 infections in the state. Ducey held nearly weekly briefings on COVID-19 throughout spring and summer, but he has not met with reporters specifically to discuss the virus since Sept. 24.

In the five weeks since, infections in the state have been steadily rising, as Department of Health Services director Dr. Cara Christ pointed out in a video released this week.

“On the week of Sept. 20, just over 3,700 COVID-19 cases were reported in Arizona. Last week, nearly 6,000 cases were reported; this is a 57% increase,” Christ said.  

Positivity rates of tests reported in the state have also risen each week since late September. Christ said much of the spread is occurring in small family gatherings.

The rise in cases has alarmed many, including the executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association. Will Humble, who formerly was the state health department director, believes it’s time for a statewide mask mandate and enforcing social distancing at bars and restaurants.

"I’m not calling for a lockdown or shutting of the bars at this point, but if we procrastinate too much longer that might be what ends up having to happen if we’re gonna keep our hospital capacity later on in November.”

On Wednesday, the state health department reported a 9.7%  positivity rate in coronavirus testing.

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