Live updates: Latest coronavirus information reported in Arizona

Mar 29, 2020, 10:30 AM | Updated: 7:50 pm

(AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

This is a continuously updated link with the latest information, news and updates about the coronavirus and its impact in Arizona for the week starting March 23. (Previous live updates: March 18-22)

PHOENIX — Coronavirus cases continue to increase throughout Arizona. Officials on Sunday morning reported the state was up to 919 cases, an increase of 146 from the previous morning.

There are now 17 confirmed deaths from COVID-19 in the state.

On Saturday, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey signed an $11.8 billion budget that includes $50 million to help with coronavirus response, his office announced in a press release.

That $50 million is for programs that have already been announced to help residents who need eviction assistance, small businesses that are struggling, food banks and homeless people, according to the release.

The Arizona Department of Health Services has been updating its coronavirus web page with the number of COVID-19 cases each morning.

Below is an updated list of known cases by county, including ones reported by local officials that weren’t included in the most recent state update, followed by the latest developments from around the state, country and world:

Maricopa County — 545 cases

Pima County — 153 cases

Navajo County — 62 cases

Coconino County — 62 cases

Pinal County — 51 cases

Apache County — 13 cases

Yavapai County — 12 cases

Mohave County — 6 cases

Yuma County — 5 cases

Cochise County — 3 cases

Graham County — 2 cases

La Paz County — 2 cases

Santa Cruz County — 2 cases

Gila County — 1 case

Sunday, March 29

The Navajo Nation implemented a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. every day of the week. The only exceptions are for essential employees reporting to or from duty and in instances of emergency. The Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area Indian Health Service reported 128 reported positive coronavirus cases as of Sunday evening.
Yuma County confirmed an additional 4 cases on Sunday bringing the county’s total to 9.
Navajo County reported an additional death on Sunday, bringing the total number of deaths to 3. According to the release, the individual was in their 60s with underlying health conditions. The county has 62 positive cases of coronavirus.
President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he is extending the voluntary national shutdown until April 30th as sickness and death from the coronavirus pandemic rise in the U.S.
Pima County announced an additional death due to coronavirus, bringing the county total to six.
The Arizona Department of Health Services launched an enhanced dashboard for COVID-19 information in the state. The updates provide more information about confirmed cases in the state and testing efforts.

Saturday, March 28

Gov. Ducey signed a bipartisan state budget agreement that includes $50 million for Arizona’s COVID-19 response.
Pima County announced the fifth coronavirus death in the county, a male hospice patient between the age of 18 and 40.
Yuma County announced its fifth coronavirus case Saturday afternoon. The person, not identified publicly, is isolated at home.

Friday, March 27

Local First Arizona launched a COVID-19 relief fund for small businesses that are suffering due to the pandemic.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero on Friday night ordered city businesses not deemed “essential” to close for three weeks. The order goes into effect at 8 a.m. on Saturday.
The Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area Indian Health Service confirmed two COVID-19 deaths in Navajo Nation on Friday. The nation spans across Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
Banner Health activated triage tents at its acute care hospitals to help build capacity for the sickest patients amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Banner said in a press release Friday. The tents are not COVID-19 specimen collection sites, and are not for those with COVID-19 symptoms that can be managed at home, the release read.
The Ak-Chin Community Council declared a state of emergency due to the growing public health of the COVID-19, the community announced Friday. The community has yet to report a positive coronavirus case.
Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich issued a legal opinion on information the government can share with public related to COVID-19 positive tests on Friday. The opinion “remarked that protecting the public is paramount during times of crisis, and transparency should be the rule rather than the exception.”
Mohave County has confirmed its fifth case of COVID-19. The adult individual is not hospitalized and has completed the self-isolation process.
Gila County has confirmed its first case of COVID-19. The individual, a woman in her 40s, is a resident of Payson.
Cochise County has confirmed a third case of COVID-19. The individual, a male, had recently returned home from traveling to a nearby state.
President Donald Trump signed a historic $2.2 trillion coronavirus rescue package, tossing a life preserver to the economy and health care system. He also issued an order that seeks to force General Motors to produce ventilators under the Defense Production Act.
The East Valley suburb of Gilbert said it is closing all playgrounds, athletic courts and other park amenities starting Saturday to encourage social distancing. Open spaces, trails and restrooms will stay open.
Gov. Doug Ducey’s coronavirus response included an announcement that the state will get an additional $5 million to help Arizonans who have been impacted by COVID-19 make rent.
Although Arizona health officials have been warning about coronavirus test supply shortages, the state reported its largest daily increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths. The Arizona Department of Health Services reported 13 deaths, up five from the previous day, and 665 positive tests, an increase of 157.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for the new coronavirus, the first leader of a major nation to contract COVID-19, but he insisted Friday that he remains in charge of the U.K.’s response to the outbreak.

Thursday, March 26

Coconino County announced an additional eight positive coronavirus cases Thursday night, bringing the county total to 36.
The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office announced in a press release that one of its employees has tested positive for coronavirus. The individual works out of the MCSO headquarters building. No other information was immediately available.
Grand Canyon National Park announced additional limitations to park operations due to COVID-19 concerns. Beginning at 12 p.m. on Friday, the following services will be suspended: backcountry permits for camping at Bright Angel; access to Indian Garden and Cottonwood campgrounds; access to Bright Angel, South Kaibab and North Kaibab trails; camping reservations at Mather Campground and access to the South Rim Trailer Village.
The Mohave County Department of Public Health announced that it has confirmed the county’s third positive COVID-19 test result.
The Arizona Department of Transportation announced the federal deadline for obtaining an Arizona Travel ID has been extended until Oct. 1, 2021, one year later than the original target date.
The U.S. Air Force announced that a civil servant at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base has tested positive for COVID-19, the first case at the southern Arizona base.
Effective Friday, Sheriff Paul Penzone is suspending the furlough and work release programs at Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office facilities to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The programs will be on hold until the state emergency declaration is lifted.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey took several actions related to the coronavirus outbreak, including an agreement that public utilities won’t shut off customers’ power or assess late fees and interest.
Spin, the city of Phoenix’s only electric scooter rental company, has pulled the plug on the devices temporarily because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Arizona reported two new COVID-19 deaths and more than 100 additional cases of the disease caused by the coronavirus. The state case total jumped to 508 from 401 in the past day, and death toll increased to eight.

Wednesday, March 25

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez reported 20 new cases of coronavirus among the Navajo people, pushing the total to 69. Nez reported 43 total cases in Navajo County, eight in Apache County and six in Coconino County. The rest are outside Arizona.
La Paz County Health Department confirmed the first two positive COVID-19 test results in the county.
Mohave County Department of Public Health confirmed the county’s second positive case of COVID-19. The individual is said to be recovering at home.
Santa Cruz County Health Services reported the county’s second confirmed coronavirus test result.
Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ said during a press conference that current models indicate a peak of coronavirus cases will occur in the sate by either mid-April or the end of the month.
State health officials provided an estimate of coronavirus test totals that included private labs for the first time. More than 6,600 Arizonans have been tested for COVID-19, Dr. Cara Chris said during a press conference.
Phoenix Fan Fusion has been rescheduled from May 21-24 to September 25-27 due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic.
The Arizona Country Thunder music festival in Florence, which last week was postponed from its April 16-19 dates, has been rescheduled for Oct. 29-Nov. 1. Kane Brown, Eric Church, Dustin Lynch and Luke Combs are headlining he event.
The number of positive tests for COVID-19 in Arizona hit 401, according to state health officials, with the Phoenix area adding most of the new cases, including two juveniles.
More than 100 female inmates will be temporarily housed at Hickman’s Family Farms in metro Phoenix to guard against the spread of coronavirus in prisons, authorities announced.
Phoenix Children’s Hospital announced that a physician at one of its ambulatory clinics has tested positive for COVID-19. The doctor first showed symptoms Friday and has been isolating and recovering at home, the hospital said.
Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne, has tested positive for the new coronavirus, his office said. The 71-year-old is showing mild symptoms of COVID-19 and is self-isolating at a royal estate in Scotland.
Mohave County reported its first positive test for COVID-19, making it the 12th county in Arizona with cases of the disease caused by the coronavirus. The patient is an adult recovering at home.

Tuesday, March 24

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez reported a total of 20 new COVID-19 cases among the Navajo Nation, bringing the tribe’s total to 49. This includes 30 cases in Navajo County, seven in Apache County, six in Coconino County and six in New Mexico. It wasn’t clear how many of the cases Nez reported were previously accounted for in Arizona’s daily report.
Northern Arizona University announced the cancellation of its in-person spring 2020 commencement and related events due to coronavirus concerns.
Coconino County health officials confirmed the county’s first death caused by the coronavirus.
Arizona State University said it had 15 confirmed cases of coronavirus among its student population as of Monday.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged to its best day since 1933 as Congress and the White House neared a deal on Tuesday to inject nearly $2 trillion of aid into an economy ravaged by the coronavirus.
Gov. Doug Ducey introduced the Arizona Together initiative Tuesday, with information about resources for those who need help during the coronavirus outbreak and those who want to provide help presented on one website.
Banner Health is accepting tax-deductible donations for two charitable funds, one to help with supplies, testing and other services related to the COVID-19 response, and another to help employees suffering from financial hardships. Arizona’s largest health care provider also welcomes donations of supplies such as respirator and surgical masks and hand sanitizer.
Desert Financial Credit Union said it will donate $500,000 to five Valley non-profit groups providing community support during the COVID-19 outbreak: United Food Bank and St. Mary’s Food Bank get $150,000 each, Midwest and Desert Mission Food Banks get $50,000 each, and Valley of the Sun United Way gets $100,000.
The Arizona Department of Health Services reported 326 cases on Tuesday, up from 234 the previous morning. The state’s COVID-19 death toll increased from two to five.

Monday, March 23

Pima County health officials on Monday reported the county’s first death due to coronavirus.The individual was a woman in her 50s with underlying health conditions, the Pima County Health Department said in a press release.The death marked the third in Arizona due to COVID-19.
Hospital officials said a metro Phoenix man died and his wife was hospitalized after ingesting a home remedy for COVID-19. The substance, chloroquine phosphate, has been touted by President Donald Trump as a possible treatment. It’s a malaria drug that’s also used in a different form as an additive for fish tanks.
The Eagles have postponed the remaining dates on their “Hotel California” tour, including shows April 21 and 26 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix. The band said the concerts will be rescheduled at a later time.
The inaugural Rib Fest Throwdown in Surprise won’t be held on its originally scheduled dates of April 25-26. Organizers said they are working to reschedule the event.
The 42nd annual Scottsdale Culinary Festival, which was scheduled for April 18, has been called off.
The Five Finger Death Punch concert scheduled for April 18 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix has been rescheduled to Oct. 23.
The Arizona Department of Health Services reported 82 new cases of COVID-19, pushing the state total to 234 positive coronavirus tests. The AZDHS initially reported 235 total cases before making a correction.
Banner Health announced it is rolling out drive-thru locations in Arizona to take samples for coronavirus testing.