ARIZONA NEWS

Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from April 17-19

Apr 19, 2020, 6:30 PM

PHOENIX – Coronavirus cases in the state near 5,000, a Maricopa County doctor says Arizona will need to see multiple weeks of decreased cases before the state reopens and on state university is implementing furloughs amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Here are some stories that headlined the Arizona news cycle over the weekend.


Arizona coronavirus case total nears 5,000 with 184 deaths

The number of positive coronavirus tests in Arizona neared 5,000 with 184 deaths, the state health department reported Sunday morning.

The state’s totals now stand at 4,929 positive tests of the virus with 52,990 tests given, an increase of 210 positive cases and seven additional deaths in the past day.

The number of cases in Maricopa County, the state’s most-populous and hardest-hit county, increased by 98 to 2,589 on Sunday.


Maricopa County health official says Arizona isn’t close to reopening

A Maricopa County health official said Friday that Arizona would need to see multiple weeks of decreased hospitalizations for her to feel comfortable about reopening the state.

“We just have to take our time so we don’t accidentally pull back too fast and see a rapid increase again,” Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, the county’s medical director for public health, told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gaydos and Chad on Friday.

Sunenshine said the hospitalization trend in the county has been flat for almost a full week.


University of Arizona to furlough most of staff amid coronavirus outbreak

The University of Arizona will begin furloughing most of its staff in May due to the extreme financial crisis resulting from the coronavirus outbreak.

Those making more than $75,000 a year face the biggest impact of the furlough program, with a 15% reduction in pay due to the 39 furlough days required.

Higher paid staff, such as those earning more than $150,000 annually, will be placed in a pay reduction program and face a 17% to 20% decrease in pay.


Walgreens debuts its 1st Phoenix-area drive-thru coronavirus test site

The first Walgreens drive-thru coronavirus test site in metro Phoenix was launched Friday in the West Valley.

The site is located in El Mirage, on the southeast corner of Dysart and Greenway roads.

To utilize the testing, area patients must first be approved through online screening and then schedule an appointment.


Arizona man donates his plasma after recovering from coronavirus

After testing positive for the coronavirus and recovering, 21-year-old Scottsdale resident Jack Schmittlein is helping others fight off the virus by donating convalescent plasma.

Schmittlein was Vitalant’s first donation of convalescent plasma on Wednesday.

Individuals who can donate convalescent plasma must have a prior diagnosis of coronavirus documented by a laboratory test, be symptom-free for at least 14 days and meet all current FDA requirements regarding plasma donation.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Arizona congressional races...

KTAR.com

Arizona’s 9 congressional seats are up for grabs; who is winning each race?

Two Arizona congressional races remained highly competitive as of Wednesday night, while the state's seven other U.S. House contests were pretty much settled.

3 hours ago

Maricopa County attorney race 2024...

KTAR.com

Incumbent Rachel Mitchell leading Maricopa County attorney race

While running in the Maricopa County Attorney race 2024, Incumbent Rachel Mitchell said she wants to focus gun violence, retail crime and fentanyl.

3 hours ago

Phoenix's Kate Gallego is among the Valley mayors up for reelection in the 2024 election....

KTAR.com

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego cruising to reelection; 2 other Valley incumbents in trouble

Kate Gallego is cruising to reelection as Phoenix’s mayor, but two incumbent Valley mayors were in danger of losing their races.

4 hours ago

David Schweikert and Amish Shah...

KTAR.com

Incumbent David Schweikert leads Amish Shah in Arizona CD1 race

Republican U.S. Rep. David Schweikert held a narrow lead over Democratic challenger Amish Shah in the race for Arizona Congressional District 1 as of Wednesday evening.

4 hours ago

The five Maricopa County Board of Supervisors seats were up for grabs during the 2024 election....

KTAR.com

2 Maricopa County supervisor races remain tight, other 3 are blowouts

Two Maricopa County Board of Supervisors races remain too close to call, while the three other contests are blowouts.

4 hours ago

Maricopa County Sheriff...

KTAR.com

Jerry Sheridan defeats Tyler Kamp to become next Maricopa County Sheriff

Republican Jerry Sheridan has defeated Democrat Tyler Kamp in the race to become the next Maricopa County Sheriff.

5 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Act Now: Secure Your HVAC Equipment Before Prices Rise in 2025!

Phoenix, AZ – As the year draws to a close, Collins Comfort Masters is urging homeowners and businesses to take advantage of current pricing on HVAC equipment.

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Leading the Way in HVAC and Plumbing Services in Arizona

Tempe, AZ – Since its inception in 1985, Collins Comfort Masters has been a cornerstone in the HVAC and plumbing industry in Phoenix and the surrounding Valley.

...

Sanderson Ford

3 storylines to get you revved up for the 2024 Arizona Cardinals

Arizona Cardinals training camp is just a couple weeks away starting on July 25, and Sanderson Ford is revved up and ready to go.

Weekend wrap-up: Here are the biggest Arizona stories from April 17-19