Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from March 20-22

PHOENIX — Arizona announces its first coronavirus deaths, a no-kill shelter offers free adoptions before closing its doors and Gov. Doug Ducey outlines new state restrictions to combat the spread of coronavirus.

Here are some stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.

Arizona no-kill shelter offering free adoptions before closing due to virus

The largest no-kill shelter in Arizona is offering free adoptions at its main location before closing it for two weeks because of coronavirus.

The Arizona Animal Welfare League is taking appointments for adoptions at its 40th and Washington streets locations until 6 p.m. on Sunday, the shelter said in a press release.

It will then be closed until at least April 7. The shelter’s medical clinic, MDPet Care, will remain open by appointment only.

Arizona confirms first death from coronavirus in state

A man in his 50s became the first Arizona resident to die from the coronavirus, the Arizona Department of Health Services announced Friday night.

The man had underlying health conditions, according to the release. His identity was not released as the Maricopa County Department of Public Health notifies those close to him.

In a letter sent from the City of Phoenix Manager, the patient worked for the City of Phoenix Aviation Department.

Live updates: The latest coronavirus information reported in Arizona

The Arizona Department of Health Services reported a second death in the state from COVID-19 on Sunday morning. The individual was a man in his 70s with underlying health conditions.

Coronavirus cases continue to spike in Arizona. State officials reported an increase of 48 cases on Sunday morning, pushing the total to 152.

The Arizona Department of Health Services has been updating its coronavirus web page with the number of COVID-19 cases each morning.

Gov. Doug Ducey explains new state restrictions to stop coronavirus spread

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Friday explained the new restrictions he announced the previous day to combat the spread of coronavirus.

The governor met with the media at the St. Mary’s Food Bank to speak on the executive orders he tweeted Thursday for the counties with positive COVID-19 cases.

“In combating the spread of COVID-19, it will require an all-hands-on-deck approach, and it will also require that we spare no effort while working with public health officials and leaders throughout the state to keep all Arizonans safe. That’s why yesterday we took additional actions to mitigate the spread fo this disease,” Ducey said.

Arizona to keep schools closed for 2 more weeks due to coronavirus

Arizona’s schools will remain closed for at least two extra weeks because of the continued coronavirus outbreak.

Gov. Doug Ducey and Superintendent Kathy Hoffman announced in a video posted to Twitter on Friday that the school closure will be extended two extra weeks.

Arizona schools were temporarily closed starting Monday, which was initially supposed to last for two weeks in an effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. This extension will push the closure through April 10.

“Our goal is to get kids safely back in the classroom as soon as possible while providing parents and educators certainty so they can plan and make decisions,” Ducey said in the video.

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