How Arizona counties fare in meeting benchmarks to reopen businesses
Aug 10, 2020, 5:01 PM | Updated: 9:46 pm
(Getty Images/Jeenah Moon)
(Getty Images/Jeenah Moon)
PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Health Services on Monday released data-driven benchmarks for businesses to reopen based upon the counties in which they are located.
State officials released requirements that will be used to determine when indoor fitness centers, bars/nightclubs, indoor theaters, water parks and tubing will be allowed to apply for permission to open.
Before establishments can apply to reopen, the county in which it operates must have either a moderate or minimal level of coronavirus community spread.
A moderate level of community spread is defined as 10-100 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents, a percent positivity rate of 5-10% and a COVID-like illness rate of 5-10%.
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A minimal level of community spread is defined as less than 10 cases per 100,000 residents, a positivity rate below 5% and a COVID-like illness rate below 5%.
Counties that don’t meet all three of the benchmarks for at least two consecutive weeks are considered to be in the substantial community spread category.
The dashboard used data from the weeks beginning July 12 and July 19 for the first release.
Here’s a county-by-county breakdown of community spread levels and how close businesses are to reopening:
Maricopa — Substantial community spread. No closed businesses can begin the reopening process. The county currently meets zero of three benchmarks but is trending in the right direction for all three.
Pinal — Substantial community spread. No closed businesses can begin the reopening process. Like Maricopa, Pinal is trending the right way.
Pima — Substantial community spread. No closed businesses can begin the reopening process. Meets the moderate level benchmark for COVID-like illness.
Coconino — Substantial community spread. No closed businesses can begin the reopening process. Meets two of the three benchmarks for moderate spread and could reach moderate benchmark for cases per 100,000 individuals as early as next week.
Yavapai — Moderate community spread. Indoor fitness centers, bars and nightclubs providing dine-in services, indoor theaters, water parks and tubing facilities can apply to reopen in accordance with AZDHS guidelines.
La Paz — Moderate community spread. Indoor fitness centers, bars and nightclubs providing dine-in services, indoor theaters, water parks and tubing facilities can apply to reopen in accordance with AZDHS guidelines.
Greenlee — Substantial community spread. No closed businesses can begin the reopening process. Meets 2 of 3 benchmarks for moderate spread.
Mohave — Substantial community spread. No closed businesses can begin the reopening process. Meets 1 of 3 benchmarks for moderate spread.
Yuma — Substantial community spread. No closed businesses can begin the reopening process. Meets 1 of 3 benchmarks for moderate spread.
Cochise — Substantial community spread. No closed businesses can begin the reopening process. Meets 1 of 3 benchmarks for moderate spread.
Santa Cruz — Substantial community spread. No closed businesses can begin the reopening process. Meets 1 of 3 benchmarks for moderate spread.
Navajo — Substantial community spread. No closed businesses can begin the reopening process. Meets 1 of 3 benchmarks for moderate spread.
Apache — Substantial community spread. No closed businesses can begin the reopening process. Meets 1 of 3 benchmarks for moderate spread.
Graham — Substantial community spread. No closed businesses can begin the reopening process. Meets 1 of 3 benchmarks for moderate spread.
Gila — Substantial community spread. No closed businesses can begin the reopening process. Meets none of the benchmarks for community spread.
