Arizona Sees Its Largest Daily Increase In COVID-19 Cases And Deaths

Friday morning marked a somber day as Arizona reported its largest daily increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths.

The Arizona Department of Health Services reported Arizona now has had officially13 deaths, which was up from five the previous day.

The state has confirmed 665 positive tests, which is up 157 from the 508 reported Thursday morning. Wednesday’s total was 401.

The health department provides daily case updates on their website each morning.

Maricopa County alone added COVID-19 new positive cases in the past day and now has 399. The state’s most populous county also reported its fifth death.

According to Maricopa County Public Health, 78 metro Phoenix patients have been hospitalized and 30 are being treated in intensive care units.

Pima County moved into triple digits and now has the state’s second-highest case total with 102.

Eleven other Arizona counties also have positive tests.

Navajo: 49
Coconino: 41
Pinal: 36
Apache: 11
Yavapai: 9
Graham: 4
Yuma: 4
Mohave: 4
La Paz: 2
Santa Cruz: 2
Cochise: 2
Gila: 0
Greenlee: 0

Arizona Health Director Dr. Cara Christ said that the capacity for testing has been increasing, there is still a shortage of supplies and protective equipment for health care workers. As a result, there still is not enough tests for everyone who wants one. At the present time high-risk populations are being prioritized.

On Wednesday, Christ provided an estimate of more than 6,600 Arizonans had been tested in private labs. The state health lab has given fewer than 500 tests.

Christ projects that Arizona COVID-19 cases could peak in April, with hospitalizations peaking in May.