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Number of coronavirus cases in Arizona surpasses 100

Posted 3/20/20

A day after Arizona officials announced the first death in the state due to the coronavirus, the state surpassed 100 cases of the disease.

As of the morning of Saturday, March 21, there are 104 …

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Number of coronavirus cases in Arizona surpasses 100

Posted

A day after Arizona officials announced the first death in the state due to the coronavirus, the state surpassed 100 cases of the disease.

As of the morning of Saturday, March 21, there are 104 positive cases of COVID-19 in Arizona.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, 49 of the cases are out of Maricopa County. Of those, a man in his 50s with underlying health issues became the first person in the state with COVID-19 to die, officials announced Friday night.

Pinal County, 14, Pima County, 12, Coconino County, 11, and Navajo County, 10, are the other counties with 10+ cases.

Apache County has three, while Cochise, Graham, Santa Cruz, Yuma and Yavapai counties are reporting one case each.

Of the 394 people tested at the Arizona State Public Health Laboratory, 240 have been ruled out and 122 are pending. More tests are being done at private labs, which do not have to provide testing numbers, only positive cases.

Arizona is now in the moderate level of community spread. It had been minimal throughout the week.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Thursday ordered all counties with a positive case to cease dine-in options at restaurants, along with closing bars, gyms and theaters.

In addition, schools in Arizona have been canceled through April 10.

The best ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19:

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

COVID-19 spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms are thought to appear within two to 14 days after exposure and consist of fever, cough, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. For people with mild illness, individuals are asked to stay home, drink plenty of fluids and get rest. For people with more severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath, individuals are advised to seek healthcare.

ADHS activated its Health Emergency Operations Center on Jan. 27 after the first case of travel-associated COVID-19 was confirmed in Arizona. The Health Emergency Operations Center remains open to coordinate the State’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak.

For more information about the COVID-19 response in Arizona, go to azhealth.gov/COVID19.

For more information about COVID-19 in Maricopa County, go to  Maricopa.gov/Coronavirus.