Arizona getting $12M in federal funding to fight coronavirus

PHOENIX – The federal government has granted more than $12 million in new funding to Arizona to support the nation’s response to the spread of coronavirus.

Arizona is getting $12.4 million from the CDC to combat COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services on Thursday.

That’s on top of a previous $500,000 federal grant to the state.

“The state response to the COVID-19 outbreak is the top priority of ADHS, and we will be working with local public health departments to distribute and use the funds where they will make the greatest impact to mitigate the spread of COVID-19,” Arizona Health Director Dr. Cara Christ said in a press release.

“We have community spread of this virus in Arizona, and we will see additional cases. Our public health strategy is to slow the spread of the disease and protect those who are most at risk for serious complications.”

Arizona’s share was part of $560 million in CDC grants to state and local municipalities announced Wednesday.

“Our state, local, tribal and territorial public health partners are on the front lines of the COVID-19 response,” CDC Director Robert R. Redfield said in a press release.

“The action we are taking today will continue to support their efforts to increase public health capacity where it’s needed most.”

Last week, President Donald Trump signed the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, which allotted $8.3 billion to fight the virus.

As of Wednesday morning, nine people in Arizona had tested positive for coronavirus after three new cases were reported. The state hasn’t seen any deaths from COVID-19.

The national coronavirus case total topped the 1,000 mark, with more than 30 deaths.

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