No new Arizona coronavirus cases reported in Thursday update

PHOENIX – A day after announcing three additional COVID-19 cases, Arizona reported no new positive tests for the coronavirus Thursday morning.

The cases announced Wednesday brought the state’s total to nine since it reported its first case in January.

The Arizona Department of Health Services has been providing online updates on test results each morning.

Five of Arizona’s cases were from one household in Pinal County. Three were from Maricopa County, and one was in Pima County.

Arizona conducted fifteen more tests from Wednesday morning to Thursday morning, bringing the state total to 115.

Of those, 82 have been ruled out and 24 remain pending.

On Wednesday morning, 100 tests had been done, with 59 ruled out and 32 pending.

That afternoon, Gov. Doug Ducey issued a declaration of public health emergency due to continuing coronavirus concerns.

“We are anticipating additional positive cases and we’re not taking any chances,” Ducey said at a press conference while announcing the declaration. “This is about public health and protecting lives.”

The declaration will provide hospitals and health care facilities the flexibility to enhance their safety protocols and will provide health officials with additional medical supplies.

Ducey also announced an executive order aimed at protecting at-risk populations.

On Wednesday night, Pima Unified Schools, a small eastern Arizona district, announced it was closing its three campuses for the day Thursday because of a possible exposure for some elementary students.

KTAR News 92.3 FM will air “Coronavirus in Arizona: Special Report with Jim Sharpe” from 12:15 p.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, an in-depth look with expert guests on the local impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Follow @KTAR923