Health Department reports 185 active cases as of Monday
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – Even as the availability of vaccines for those 12 and older was recently increased by the inclusion of the Graham County Department of Health and Human Services (GCDHHS), COVID-19 cases continue their upward trend – especially in the Safford zip code.
On Friday, Aug. 12, the health department reported an additional 26 new positive tests. On Monday, that number grew by 57 new positive tests over the weekend. According to the health department, the county now has 185 active cases of COVID-19.
The new results include 51 from the Safford zip code, 14 from the Thatcher zip code, nine from the Pima/Bylas zip code, and nine unknown.
For the course of the pandemic, Graham County lists 5,838 confirmed cases, with 5,564 recoveries, 185 active cases, and 89 deaths.
The Pfizer vaccine is available locally and at the health department and has been approved for use by those 12 and older. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are approved for those 18 and older and are also readily available for free.
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), the county reported administering five new doses of the vaccine Monday but also 15 new positive test results.
The ADHS reports Graham County at a total vaccination rate of 30.5 percent as of Monday, however, that does not include vaccinations administered by the state or some other entities. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), as of Monday, Graham County has a fully vaccinated rate of 46 percent of the total population, with the rate of those 12 and older at 55.9 percent, 18 and older at 60.9 percent, and those in the most endangered group of 65 and older at 90 percent fully vaccinated and 97.5 percent with at least one dose.
Greenlee County
The Greenlee County Health Department reported six new COVID-19 positive test results over the weekend. The increase puts Greenlee at 49 active cases.
The Greenlee County BOS and town of Clifton Governing Board previously enacted mandatory mask usage in county- or town-owned buildings.
For the course of the pandemic, Greenlee County reports 657 total cases, with 598 recoveries, 49 active cases, and 10 deaths.
According to the CDC, Greenlee County has a fully vaccinated total population rate of 32 percent, with the rate of those 12 and older at 39.2 percent, those 18 and older at 43.4 percent, and those 65 years old and older at 65.3 percent with 72.1 percent having at least one dose.
