Maricopa County survey shows about 10% of residents have had COVID-19
Nov 16, 2020, 2:55 PM
(AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
(AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)
PHOENIX — A survey released Monday from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health revealed that about 10% of residents have been infected with coronavirus since the start of the pandemic.
The survey, in partnership with Arizona State University and Mayo Clinic, estimated that about 470,000 people in the metro Phoenix area have contracted COVID-19.
The 11-day study was conducted in mid-September and used specimens from 260 participants in 169 households randomly selected from across the county to test for antibodies for the virus that causes COVID-19.
“We know that sustained close contact drives the majority of infections,” Marcy Flanagan, the county public health department’s executive director, said in a press release.
“The serosurvey findings emphasize the importance of separating household members once someone is diagnosed with COVID-19 and in isolation at home.”
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The estimated number of coronavirus cases in the county is higher than what public health officials have reported statewide, but there’s good reason for it.
Flanagan said that for every case that was reported by the time the survey was completed, three to four cases weren’t reported.
Arizona reported 1,476 new coronavirus cases and zero deaths on Monday, pushing the state’s totals to 276,912 COVID-19 infections and 6,302 fatalities.
Flanagan stressed the continued need for mitigation strategies until a vaccine arrives and herd immunity is reached.
“It’s critical that we all wear face masks correctly and consistently, physically distance from others, wash our hands and avoid large groups of people to help slow the spread of COVID-19,” Flanagan said.
