Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from July 24-26

PHOENIX — Arizona continues to grapple with an evolving coronavirus pandemic, a Glendale resident finds something shocking on her husband’s death certificate and a case of the human plague shows up in a northeastern part of the state.

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

Arizona reports 1,973 new coronavirus cases, 19 more deaths

The Arizona health department reported 1,973 new coronavirus cases and 19 additional deaths Sunday morning.

That brought the state’s documented totals to 162,014 COVID-19 infections and 3,305 fatalities.

Meanwhile, the number of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients in Arizona’s hospitals dropped to its lowest level of the month.

Glendale woman shocked by husband’s death certificate listing COVID-19

When Kathy Nester of Glendale received her late husband’s death certificate, she found something completely unexpected.

It listed COVID-19 as one of the causes of death.

The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office made that determination, so she called them right away.

“They said that they tested him,” Nester told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

She then asked if the they tested him when he was dead.

“They [said they] did and that they had a right to test him, and I didn’t have to give permission for them to test him,” she said.

Arizona releases draft of requirements for gyms to reopen, but no date

Arizona officials have released tentative plans under which the state’s indoor gyms and fitness centers would be allowed to reopen, but no timetable for when that will happen.

The top of the Arizona Department of Health Services website on Friday morning had a link to a draft document, dated Wednesday, with a list of requirements so gyms can be prepared to reopen when they get the green light.

“We wanted to make sure that they had an idea of what we were thinking so that they could be ready to go when the decision is made that they can reopen,” Health Director Dr. Cara Christ told KTAR News 92.3 FM.

She made it clear that gyms can’t open Monday and must remain closed until Gov. Doug Ducey says otherwise, “even if they meet the requirements that are in the draft document.”

Arizona woman arrested at Sky Harbor, accused of helping al-Qaida

An Arizona woman was arrested at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport on Wednesday for allegedly attempting to aid al-Qaida, authorities said.

According to a press release from the FBI, Jill Marie Jones was in contact with two undercover employees, one of whom she believed to already be a member of the terrorist group.

Jones agreed to send the purported al-Qaida member money to purchase scopes for rifles intended to be used by the terrorist organization to kill American soldiers, authorities said.

Case of human plague identified in northeastern Arizona

County health officials in northeastern Arizona said a man has contracted the human plague and are warning the public to take precautions to limit the risk of exposure.

Navajo County Assistant Manager Bryan Layton said Friday that a man over the age of 55 was being treated for the disease amid an investigation into how it was contracted.

Humans typically get plague after being bitten by an infected flea that is carrying the plague bacterium or by handling an animal infected with plague. Modern antibiotics are effective in treating plague, though the disease can cause serious illness or death without prompt treatment.

Related

Arizona education department answers FAQs on reopening of schoolsHere is when Arizona schools plan to start the upcoming academic yearQ&A with top Arizona health official on schools opening, testing backlogMore than 60% disapprove of Ducey's handling of pandemic, poll findsSAFE Alert issued for 18-year-old woman who left home with puppyArizona man to pay up to $30M in restitutions after pleading guilty to investment fraud