CORONAVIRUS NEWS

Arizona coronavirus cases increase to 13,631, death toll up to 679

May 16, 2020, 9:06 AM

(Photo by Tang Yanjun via Getty Images)...

(Photo by Tang Yanjun via Getty Images)

(Photo by Tang Yanjun via Getty Images)

PHOENIX — The Arizona health department reported more than 450 new coronavirus cases Saturday morning, with 28 additional deaths.

The state’s documented total of COVID-19 cases increased by 462 to 13,631, with 679 deaths.

Of the tests processed in the state for the virus (PCR testing) and for antibodies (serology testing), 6.2% have come back positive, the same as the previous day.

The Arizona Department of Health Services has been providing case and testing updates on its website each morning. The dashboard includes, among other information, details about deaths from COVID-19 and hospital capacity plus a ZIP code map of cases.

On Friday morning, the department reported 495 new cases and 27 fatalities in Arizona.

The daily reports present data after the state receives statistics and compiles them, which can lag by several days. They aren’t meant to represent the actual activity over the past 24 hours.

Citing a decrease in positive test result percentage, adequate hospital capacity and expanded testing numbers, Gov. Doug Ducey decided to let Arizona’s stay-at-home order, which was in effect since March 31, expire as scheduled late Friday night.

Almost all businesses deemed nonessential under the order can reopen starting Saturday if they follow physical distancing and enhanced sanitation guidelines established for their industry. Bars that don’t serve food, concerts, festivals and sporting events with fans are among the entities that must stay closed.

Coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms for most people, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

In most cases, a positive test won’t change a patient’s treatment plan.

Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 85,990 deaths from more than 1.4 million COVID-19 cases as of Friday’s daily U.S. update.

According to data compiled and regularly updated by Johns Hopkins University, there were more than 4.5 million cases and 308,000 deaths globally as of Saturday morning.

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Arizona coronavirus cases increase to 13,631, death toll up to 679