Phoenix media groups sue Arizona over nursing home COVID-19 records

PHOENIX (AP) — A group of Phoenix-area media organizations sued the state of Arizona on Tuesday for records detailing coronavirus outbreaks in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

The public records lawsuit filed by attorneys representing the Arizona Republic, ABC15 (KNXV-TV), 12 News (KPNX-TV), CBS 5 (KPHO-TV) and 3 TV (KTVK) seeks the names of nursing homes with outbreaks.

The state and counties have refused to name individual facilities, citing patient privacy interests. The state does list the basic number of long-term care facilities with cases, reporting at least 123 with outbreaks statewide. Nursing homes have been hard hit by the virus, and some facilities have confirmed news reports that they have experienced large outbreaks, including a Chandler assisted facility that said 13 residents have died.

Republican Gov. Doug Ducey has pushed back on requests for more information on nursing homes and on Monday outlined more reporting to families with loved-ones living in the facilities.

The lawsuit comes as the number of virus cases and deaths in the state continues to climb, and as Ducey eases store and restaurant closings. He said Monday that hair salons and barber shops could reopen Friday and restaurants open on Monday, with extra cleaning and social distancing. A stay-home order, however, remains in effect until May 15.

State officials reported 33 additional virus deaths in Arizona, increasing the total to 395 as of Tuesday. The number of reported cases rose by 386 to more than 9,300, according to the Department of Health Services.

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