Arizona reports COVID-19 cases rise to 152, second death announced
Mar 22, 2020, 9:06 AM | Updated: 9:15 am
PHOENIX — The number of COVID-19 cases in Arizona increased to 152 as of Sunday morning, according to the state health department.
The Arizona Department of Health Services also reported a second death in the state from the virus. The individual was a man in his 70s with underlying health conditions, according to a press release.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out at this tragic loss of life,” Gov. Doug Ducey said on Twitter Sunday. “As testing increases, we expect the number of positive cases to continue rising. It’s important that everyone takes this seriously.”
A total of 81 cases were reported in Maricopa County, while Pinal and Pima counties have 16 and 17, respectively.
The Arizona Department of Health Services has been updating its coronavirus web page with the number of cases each morning.
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Private labs have processed 115 of the state’s 408 tests.
There are currently 87 tests pending with 282 ruled out.
On Saturday morning, state health officials announced a total of 104 cases in Arizona.
Federal and state officials have said an increased capacity to administer and process tests will result in a sharp increase in the rate of new cases in the coming days, so it’s unclear how much of the increase is due to spread of the virus and how much to the boost in testing.
State health leaders are advising people with mild symptoms to stay home and said not to go to an emergency room unless the situation is an emergency. They said positive tests won’t change treatment for patients in the absence of serious symptoms.
On Thursday, Gov. Doug Ducey announced a series of executive orders, including shutting down bars and dine-in options in counties with confirmed cases, designed to slow the spread of the virus.
