Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from July 3-5

PHOENIX — Positive coronavirus cases in Arizona continue to rise, a gym stays open in defiance of Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order and Banner Health details the plan after activation of the state’s Crisis Standard of Care Plan.

Here are some stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Arizona health department reports 3,536 new coronavirus cases, 4 deaths

The Arizona health department reported 3,536 new coronavirus cases and four deaths Sunday morning.

That brings the state’s documented totals to 98,089 COVID-19 cases and 1,809 fatalities.

The single-day pandemic highs were 4,878 cases and 88 deaths, both reported Wednesday.

Life Time complies with Ducey’s order, Mountainside Fitness remains open

Life Time has decided to close their fitness facilities through Monday evening to comply with Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order, while Mountainside Fitness will remain open.

In a letter to members provided to KTAR News 92.3 FM, Life Time says the closure of fitness floors, studios and gymnasiums allows the company time to meet with Ducey’s team and collaborate a way to reopen the amenities.

Other services at the club, including the salon, spa, food service, kids clubs, and pools, will remain open at this time, according to a press release from AZDHS.

Meanwhile, AZDHS says it will move forward with “seeking to enforce its Emergency Measures” against Mountainside Fitness.

Arizona COVID-19 hospitalizations up as Banner Health details care plan

As hospitalizations and emergency room visits for COVID-19 skyrocket in Arizona, Banner Health is detailing what Monday’s activation of the state’s Crisis Standard of Care Plan means as resources tighten.

In an internal memo obtained by ABC15, Banner Health stated there could be changes in staffing models at hospitals, alternate areas/sites for patient care, providers in different roles than usual and the use of different equipment.

Extensive liability and malpractice protection is also provided for caregivers under the plan.

Banner Health in the memo stated the activation of the plan at the crisis level is the first time this has been done in the country and in Arizona’s history, adding the plan was activated at the request of Banner Health and other health care systems.

Fundraiser to be held at Peoria Chick-fil-A on Monday for fallen officer

A fundraiser will be held on Monday for the family of Peoria Police Motor Officer Jason Judd, who died after being involved in a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on July 1.

The Peoria Police Officers’ Association Charities in a press release on Saturday said the drive-thru fundraiser will take place at the Chick-fil-A on 83rd Avenue in Peoria from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Cash, check and credit card donations will be accepted with 100% of the donations benefiting the Judd family.

Sen. Candidate Kelly: Ducey made right move in re-closing businesses

Democratic Senate Candidate Mark Kelly believes Gov. Doug Ducey made the right move in shutting down numerous businesses while Arizona experiences a surge in coronavirus cases.

Speaking with KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News on Friday, the Senate candidate said he understands the toll it takes on business owners but added this is a proper step to combat the spread of the virus.

“In this case, yes. Initially, if you go back to when we reopened, the CDC and the NIH and the public health officials said we should see two weeks of a decrease in cases,” Kelly said Friday when asked if Ducey made the right move. “That wasn’t the case. We reopened, we never got the virus outbreak under control, so we got to take some steps.”

“It’s unfortunate, I know business owners are suffering out there, folks have lost their jobs. But we can’t allow this to spiral out of control.”

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