Majority of the new cases (27) come from the San Carlos Apache Tribe
By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – The Graham County Department of Health and Human Services reported an increase of 38 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, with 27 coming from areas of the San Carlos Apache Reservation that is located within Graham County.
The health department also reported one new COVID-19 related death, a Safford resident, to bring the total from the pandemic to five to date. The health department declined to release any other information regarding the death due to privacy concerns. As of Friday, Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center (MGRMC) is reporting two currently hospitalized patients.
Along with four new additional cases Thursday, Graham County now stands at 278 positive COVID-19 cases as of Friday evening. Out of the 42 new reported cases, 27 come from the San Carlos Apache Tribe, 10 are from Safford, three are from Thatcher, and two are from Fort Thomas. All known close contacts have been notified and placed under quarantine until cleared by the health department.
Graham County still has the second-lowest infection rate out of all of Arizona’s counties behind Greenlee County. The next lowest-county, Gila County, has an infection rate of about twice of Graham County’s, which is about one-half of one percent.
Even with the most recent death, Graham County has a low death rate and Graham County Health Director Brian Douglas advised that was due, in part, to the treatments offered at MGRMC.
“We’re finding new ways and we’re using antivirals and plasma has been working very well,” Douglas said. “Our treatments of our medical care has been improving and I think that is a factor in our low death rate.”
Graham County currently has 218 active cases, with 55 recovered cases and five deaths. According to Douglas, cases are considered active with COVID-19 until 30 days after their symptoms subside. While patients may not be infectious, they are still considered as an active case. He said that the number of recovered cases should begin to increase Wednesday, July 22 due to the previous increase of positive cases that began to occur June 22.
Mask Use
While cases continue to rise, Douglas recently advised that the health care capacity is not being overrun and that he doesn’t believe a mandate to wear masks in public is necessary but that could change if a large spike occurs and MGRMC becomes overwhelmed. Douglas also added that masks are strongly recommended and that the Graham County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation advising the use of masks in public and a number of privately owned stores are requiring the use as well.
Greenlee County
The Greenlee County Health Department reported an additional positive case on Friday, bringing the county’s total to 39 for the pandemic, with 26 active cases, 12 recovered cases, and one death.
As of Friday night, Greenlee County had 134 outstanding tests pending results.
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