Arizona reports coronavirus case total more than 35,000

This is a regularly updated story with the latest information, news and updates about the coronavirus and its impact in Arizona and beyond for the week starting June 8. (Previous daily updates: June 1-7)

PHOENIX — The Arizona health department reported 1,233 new coronavirus cases and three additional deaths Sunday morning.

That increased the state’s documented totals to 35,691 cases and 1,186 deaths.

The latest numbers come after Arizona saw its highest single-day case total to date on Friday, reporting 1,654 cases.

The Arizona Department of Health Services has been providing case and testing updates on its website each morning. The dashboard includes, among other information, testing trends, updated hospital capacity and a ZIP Code map of cases.

The daily reports present data after the state receives statistics and compiles them, which can lag by several days. They aren’t meant to represent the actual activity over the past 24 hours.

During a Thursday press conference, Gov. Doug Ducey and Health Director Dr. Cara Christ gave assurance that the state has sufficient bed and equipment capacity to handle the rising caseload seen in recent weeks.

More than 469,000 combined tests for active COVID-19 infections (PCR testing) and antibodies (serology testing) have been given in Arizona, including 12,511 added to the total Sunday.

Of the tests of both types that have been processed, 6.9% have come back positive. It was 6.7% Saturday and Friday, 6.5% Thursday and has been increasing steadily since the beginning of the month.

For the over 337,000 total virus tests (PCR) given, including 9,643 reported Sunday, the positive rate increased to 8.4%, continuing an upward trend. It was 8.2%% Saturday, 8.1% Friday and 7.9% Thursday.

For the over 131,000 antibody (serology) tests given, including 2,868 added in the latest report, the positive rate remained at 3%. It was 3.1% on Friday and 3.0% on Saturday.

Of the PCR samples collected since June 7 that have been processed, 14% have come back positive, the highest rate of any previous week.

It was 12% last week, matching the mark from the week of March 1, when only 52 tests were done in the early days of the pandemic.

Below are the latest developments about the coronavirus pandemic from around the state, country and world:

Saturday, June 13

• The Navajo Nation reported 84 new coronavirus cases and a death count of 308. The total number of positive cases of the virus on the Navajo Nation has reached 6,554, but approximately 3,131 individuals have recovered. Nearly 44,000 people have been tested for the virus, which represents 21.4% of the Navajo Nation’s population.

Friday, June 12

• SanTan Brewing and Distilling announced two of their employees have tested positive for coronavirus. They’ll close the Chandler and Phoenix pubs and Spirit House for a deep cleaning and reopen on Sunday.
• Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego told CNN she expects masks to be a vital accessory for the long haul as Arizona grapples with a surge in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations.
• With reported coronavirus cases on the rise in the state, face masks are now mandatory at Arizona State University, the school’s president said.
• Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry Director David Shinn told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show that his agency would test all staff for coronavirus antibodies.
• The number of jail inmates in metro Phoenix who have tested positive for the coronavirus has surpassed the total in Arizona’s far larger state prison population.
• As schools across Arizona finalize plans to reopen, Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix said it will require all students and staff to wear face masks on campus.

Thursday, June 11

• Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced an increase of 103 new coronavirus cases among the Navajo Nation and a total death count of 298. While the total number of COVID-19 cases within the Navajo Nation has reached 6,378, approximately 3,063 individuals are reported to have recovered from the virus.
• Officials said Thursday that Arizona hospitals have enough capacity for coronavirus patients as positive cases and hospitalizations rise in the state.
• Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ encouraged residents to wear face masks in public as coronavirus cases continue to surge throughout the state.
• Mesa is allocating about $7 million of its federal coronavirus aid funding to provide laptop computers and tech support for K-6 students lacking equipment needed to learn from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Salvation Army’s phased reopening will continue Friday when three more of its Arizona thrift stores resume service: 8702 W. Cholla Street in Peoria, 2324 N. Scottsdale Road in Tempe and 1718 E. Florence Blvd. in Casa Grande. They will join three locations that opened last month.
• CVS announced it was adding 14 drive-thru coronavirus testing sites in Arizona on Friday, increasing the pharmacy giant’s total to 35 in the state.

Wednesday, June 10

• Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced an increase of 125 new coronavirus cases among the Navajo Nation and a total death count of 292. Approximately 2,997 individuals are reported to have recovered from the virus.
• The Arizona Department of Health Services released a report showing statewide bed capacity of 83%, which should trigger an automatic stop to elective surgeries at affected hospitals as the state sees a surge in confirmed cases.
• Maricopa County public health officials are encouraging individuals to wear face masks in public as coronavirus cases in metro Phoenix rise at record rates.
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced that it has expanded COVID-19 testing among people held at its detention facilities following criticism of its response to the outbreak.
• Vitalant, formerly United Blood Services, announced that it is giving all blood donors COVID-19 antibody (serology) tests.

Tuesday, June 9

• Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced an increase of 40 new coronavirus cases among the Navajo Nation and a total death count of 285. Approximately 2,872 individuals are reported to have recovered from the virus.
• Arizona health experts are warning parents against putting off well-child checkups, as recommended vaccination rates have declined during the coronavirus pandemic.
• Coronavirus cases among Maricopa County jail inmates have increased sharply over the last five days, leading officials to consider mass testing.
• In the midst of a surge in coronavirus cases across the state, the Arizona Department of Health Services has urged hospitals to activate their emergency protocols.
• The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and CVS have teamed up to provide rapid coronavirus testing for uninsured Arizonans.

Monday, June 8

• The former director of the Arizona Department of Health Services said the state could need a new stay-at-home order if coronavirus trends he calls “disturbing” continue.
• Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced an increase of 90 new coronavirus cases among the Navajo Nation and a total death count of 277. While the total amount of COVID-19 cases have reached 6,110, there have been approximately 2,814 individuals who have recovered from the virus.
• The Arizona Department of Health Services changed the way it reported intensive care unit and inpatient bed capacity over the weekend.
• Even with the coronavirus pandemic ongoing, metro Phoenix’s hotel industry reports taking in more guests in recent weeks.
• Valleywise Health is urging the public to practice safe behaviors to prevent additional coronavirus cases and deaths in the state.

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