Contributed Photo: Graham County has announced two new deaths attributed to COVID-19, bringing the total for the pandemic to 85.
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – Graham County and Arizona have not been immune to the uptick in COVID-19 cases – due mostly to the more easily transmissible Delta variant – and the virus has reportedly claimed two more victims in Graham County.
According to the Graham County Department of Health and Human Services, Graham County has seen 39 new positive tests for COVID-19 over the past six weeks. A number of those have been more recent, however, and the currently active cases also stand at 39. The newest positive tests include 20 from the Safford zip code, 15 from the Pima/Bylas zip code, and four from the Thatcher zip code. Since the start of the pandemic, Graham County has confirmed 5,625 cases, with 5,501 recovered.
The health department also announced the death of two county residents over the same time period attributed to COVID-19, bringing the total number of fatal victims since the start of the pandemic to 85. No further information regarding the two fatal patients was released.
The health department has advised that the more contagious Delta variant is in Graham County and that all new cases of COVID-19 over the past several months have come from only unvaccinated people.
“Since December, nearly 11,000 COVID-19 vaccinations have been given to Graham County residents without one severe reaction or hospitalization,” a release from the health department stated. “The vaccine is safe and effective. We strongly encourage everyone 18 years of age and older to receive your vaccination today. Currently, we offer the two-dose Moderna vaccine as well as the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.”
“Please call the Graham County Health Department at 928-428-0110 to schedule your appointment at our vaccination clinic located at 627 W. Main St in Safford or contact your primary care physician.”
Greenlee County
In Greenlee County, the positive tests have started to gather again, and the county currently has 22 active cases of COVID-19, according to the Greenlee County Health Department.
As of Monday, Greenlee has listed a total of 603 cases for the pandemic, with 571 recovered, and 10 deaths.
The COVID-19 vaccine is free and available in both counties, and the Pfizer vaccine is available to administer to juveniles 12 and older and is given locally at the Safeway in Thatcher at 2125 W. U.S. Highway 70 for free.
