Live updates: Latest on coronavirus in Arizona, which has 16,339 cases
May 24, 2020, 9:31 AM | Updated: 9:47 am
This is a continuously updated link with the latest information, news and updates about the coronavirus and its impact in Arizona and beyond for the week starting May 18. (Previous live updates: May 11-17)
PHOENIX — The Arizona health department reported 300 new cases of coronavirus on Sunday morning, bringing the state total to 16,339.
With one additional fatality from COVID-19 reported, the death toll has now reached 800.
The Arizona Department of Health Services has been updating its coronavirus web page with the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths, plus other related information, each morning.
Below is an updated list of cases and deaths by county as reported by the state health department, followed by the latest developments from around the state, country and world:
Maricopa County — 8,277 cases; 384 deaths
Pima County — 2,027 cases; 172 deaths
Navajo County — 1,523 cases, 56 deaths
Apache County — 1,191 cases; 25 deaths
Coconino County — 1,019 cases; 72 deaths
Pinal County — 755 cases; 37 deaths
Yuma County — 632 cases; 9 deaths
Mohave County — 304 cases; 34 deaths
Yavapai County — 285 cases; 6 deaths
Santa Cruz County — 169 cases; 0 deaths
Cochise County — 59 cases; fewer than 3 deaths (1-2)
La Paz County — 50 cases; fewer than 3 deaths (1-2)
Gila County — 24 cases; fewer than 3 deaths (1-2)
Graham County — 21 cases; 0 deaths
Greenlee County — 3 cases; 0 deaths
Sunday, May 24
- The Arizona health department reported 300 new coronavirus cases Sunday morning and one additional death, increasing the totals to 16,339 and 800.
Saturday, May 23
- The Navajo Nation announced in a press release an increase of 104 coronavirus cases and a total death count of 153. Confirmed COVID-19 cases were said to have reached 4,633 among the Navajo Nation while 1,397 individuals were reported to have recovered from the virus.
- Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez discusses extension of CARES Act funding and opposition of reopening Grand Canyon National Park with U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs John Tahsuda, and Navajo Area BIA Director Bart Stevens.
- The Arizona health department reported 431 new coronavirus cases Saturday morning and 24 more deaths, increasing the totals to 16,039 and 799, respectively.
Friday, May 22
- The Navajo Nation announced in a press release an increase of 95 coronavirus cases and a total death count of 149. Confirmed COVID-19 cases were said to have reached 4,529 among the Navajo Nation while 1,235 individuals were reported to have recovered from the virus.
- An employee at the Fry’s Food and Drug Store at McClintock Drive and Baseline Road in Tempe tested positive for COVID-19, the company confirmed. The person is quarantined and not currently working. Known and potentially contacted areas and equipment in the store have been deep cleaned.
- The U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service announced that 3,242,043 Economic Impact Payments have been made to Arizonans totaling $5,573,167,261.
- The Arizona health department reported 293 new coronavirus cases Friday morning and 12 more deaths, increasing the totals to 15,608 and 775.
Thursday, May 21
- The Navajo Nation announced in a press release an increase of 181 coronavirus cases and a total death count of 147. Confirmed COVID-19 cases were said to have reached 4,434 among the Navajo Nation while 1,195 individuals were reported to have recovered from the virus.
- The city of Avondale announced it has developed a three-phased plan for reopening city buildings, facilities and programs that were affected by the coronavirus outbreak.
- The Arizona health department reported 418 new COVID-19 cases and 16 more deaths, increasing the documented totals to 15,315 and 763.
- The number of Americans thrown out of work since the coronavirus crisis struck two months ago has climbed to nearly 39 million, the government said.
Wednesday, May 20
- Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced an increase of 100 coronavirus cases among the Navajo Nation and a total death count of 146. The Navajo Nation reports confirmed coronavirus cases to have reached 4,253 total while approximately 1,026 individuals are said to have recovered from the virus.
- St. Vincent de Paul and Open Hearts will receive $300,000 in funding from Arizona’s Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund to help vulnerable residents avoid eviction and access health services.
- The AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund is distributing $500,000 to organizations that provide out-of-school child care, Gov. Doug Ducey announced. The funding will go to various Boys & Girls Clubs around Arizona, the CLUB for YOUth Kingman, Cobre Valley Youth Club and Patagonia Youth Enrichment Center.
- In a year lacking traditional ceremonies, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey proclaimed Wednesday as Class of 2020 Celebration Day in honor of the state’s graduates.
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport announced it will be implementing a mandatory face mask policy next month.
- Arizona reported 43 new coronavirus deaths and 331 additional cases, bringing the totals to 747 and 14,897. Twenty-one of the new deaths were found through death certificate surveillance of earlier fatalities.
Tuesday, May 19
- Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced an increase of 82 coronavirus cases among the Navajo Nation and a total death count of 144. The Navajo Nation reports confirmed coronavirus cases to have reached 4,153 total while approximately 1,001 individuals are said to have recovered from the virus.
- The city of Buckeye announced it has developed a three-phased approach to reopening in response to Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s “Stay Healthy, Return Smarter, Return Stronger” executive order.
- Arizona is getting $150.1 million of the $11 billion being distributed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support COVID-19 testing.
- Arizona reported 396 new cases of coronavirus and 18 additional deaths. That brings the reported state totals to 14,566 cases and 704 deaths.
Monday, May 18
- Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced an increase of 69 coronavirus cases among the Navajo Nation and a total death count of 142. The Navajo Nation reports confirmed coronavirus cases to have reached 4,071 total while 928 individuals are said to have recovered from the virus.
- The Arizona Department of Economic Security reported about 32,000 new initial unemployment claims in addition to about 300,000 ongoing claims for a total weekly payout of about $163 million in benefits. Additionally, about 77,000 initial claims for the temporary Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program as part of the CARES Act were processed and paid out about $355 million in benefits.
- President Donald Trump said he is taking malaria drug hydroxychloroquine to lessen symptoms should he get the new coronavirus, even though the drug is unproven for fighting COVID-19.
- Arizona utility Salt River Project has donated $100,000 to the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund, which has collected more than $8.2 million to assist medical personnel and community organizations, according to the governor’s office.
- Gov. Doug Ducey announced that two organizations that support foster families — Arizona Friends of Foster Children Foundation and Boost a Foster Family — are getting $100,000 in funding from the AZ Coronavirus Relief Fund.
- OdySea Aquarium, Butterfly Wonderland and other attractions at Scottsdale’s Arizona Boardwalk announced plans to reopen this week.
- Mesa’s three public libraries, which have been closed since March 16, will begin curbside pickup service this week. Residents can reserve items online and pick them up Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. when they become available.
- Arizona reported 233 new positive tests for the coronavirus and six additional deaths. That brings the reported state totals to 14,170 cases and 686 deaths.