Coronavirus cases in Arizona continue to rise, with 401 identified cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, reported by the state Wednesday.
Mohave County reported its first identified case. Maricopa County reported it now has two cases in people under age 18.
Identified cases have increased 23% since Tuesday morning's numbers update from the state. The percentage increase was lower Wednesday than it was on Monday and Tuesday.
On Tuesday, there were at least 326 identified cases and five known deaths reported by the state in its morning numbers update. The state's database now reflects the sixth death, which was announced by Coconino County late Tuesday.
Three known deaths have occurred in Maricopa County, according to county data, as well as one in Pima County and one in Coconino County. It is unclear in which county one of the deaths happened. Coconino County's first known death related to COVID-19 was announced on Tuesday.
Doctor tests positive
A physician at Phoenix Children’s Hospital tested positive for COVID-19, the hospital announced Wednesday morning. The doctor worked at one of the hospital’s ambulatory clinics. They had treated one patient on Friday and did not examine any other patients in person last week, the hospital said. They were not symptomatic while working on Friday and followed best practices for infection control.
“Per guidance from the CDC, Maricopa County Department of Health and our precautionary measures exercised in the clinic, exposure is unlikely,” the hospital said in a statement.
Still, the hospital notified the family and staff members who had been in contact with the physician.
While off-duty on Friday evening, the doctor started showing symptoms, and the test came back positive. The doctor is now isolating and recovering at home. They are believed to have been exposed to the virus in a community setting, the hospital said.
No other doctors or staff members have developed symptoms, the hospital said.
“We will continue to do our best to safeguard patients’ health, curb the spread of the virus and support our clinicians who are providing the best possible care in the most challenging of circumstances,” the hospital said.
Numbers likely higher than official counts
The number of cases is likely much higher than official numbers suggest. People have reported trouble getting tested, as health professionals confront confusion over who to test and a lack of supplies.
The state health department's publicly reported numbers only provide positive test results from private labs, not the total number of people tested, leaving the online data incomplete.
The entry of private labs into testing appears to be helping the state identify cases, as the majority of reported positive cases are coming from private labs. Of the 401 identified cases reported Wednesday morning, 357 were reported by private labs while 44 came from the state lab.
On Tuesday, cases were reported in several areas that weren't previously publicly reported. The Gila River Indian Community announced two positive cases of COVID-19 from patients who visited a Gila River Health Care facility on Tuesday. Arizona State University said it has 15 students who have tested positive, while three members of the University of Arizona community had positive tests.
Numbers increase in several counties
A majority of Arizona's identified cases were in Maricopa County, with a total of 251 Wednesday, according to data on the state health department's website.
The Maricopa County Department of Public Health provides additional details about its cases, including:
- The majority of identified cases are males, at 55%.
- There are now two identified cases in people under age 18.
- The largest age group represented in identified cases is those aged 18 to 39, at 38%.
- People aged 40 to 59 represent 33% of cases, while those over age 60 represent 28%.
- Of the 251 cases, 35, or 14%, are hospitalized.
- Thirteen are in the intensive care unit.
- Three have died.
Pima County had identified 49 cases, Navajo County had 37 cases, Pinal County had 23 and Coconino County had 23, according to state data. Apache County had seven cases and Yavapai County had four cases. Yuma County had three, while Graham County had two. Cochise and Santa Cruz counties each had one.
No cases had been identified in La Paz, Greenlee and Gila counties as of Wednesday morning, the website showed.
Mohave County announced its first identified positive case in the Lake Havasu City area, the county announced Tuesday. State numbers do not currently reflect the case.
The announcement also means the county may have to follow Gov. Doug Ducey's order on limited service at restaurants, and close bars, gyms and theaters, if the case is confirmed positive by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The person is an adult, is not hospitalized and is recovering at home, the county said. The Mohave County Department of Public Health said it could not be more specific about the person’s gender or age.
Close contacts of the person will be interviewed, and the county is recommending that each person monitor for symptoms and quarantine for 14 days.
“With new cases increasing daily around the country and throughout Arizona, it is not surprising to see our first case here in Mohave County,” said Denise Burley, the county health department’s director.
On Tuesday evening, the Navajo Nation announced the number of COVID-19 cases rose to 49, which is up 10 from their report on Tuesday morning. This includes 43 in Arizona. There are 30 in Navajo County, seven in Apache County, six in Coconino County in Arizona, four in McKinley County and two in San Juan County in New Mexico.
The "stay at home" order issued by Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez remains in effect. This requires residents on the Navajo Nation to stay home and eliminates non-essential travel.
Residents of the Navajo Reservation can also now sign up for emergency alerts issued by the Navajo Department of Emergency Management. An alert was issued on Monday urging all Navajo residents to stay home, the press release states. To sign up for the emergency alerts, text "Navajo Nation" to 888777 or register online at www.nnalert.com.
Reporter Shondiin Silversmith contributed to this story.
Reach reporter Rachel Leingang by email at rachel.leingang@gannett.com or by phone at 602-444-8157, or find her on Twitter and Facebook.
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