The state health department reported 1,154 new cases of COVID-19 in Arizona and 96 new deaths March 4. So far 16,185 Arizonans have died from the virus since the beginning of the pandemic.

The number of fully or partially vaccinated Arizonans has surpassed a quarter of the state’s population.

The state this week opened up COVID-19 vaccines to people 55 and older at its sites in Maricopa County. But one Arizona county is offering a COVID-19 vaccine to any county resident who wants one.

Gila County, east of the Valley, has gone its own way, in terms of getting shots into arms.

To learn why and how, The Show spoke with Evelyn Vargas, chief experience officer at Cobre Valley Regional Medical Center in Globe, who says the hospital’s clinic has vaccinated about 6,500 Gila County residents so far. 

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