By Jon Johnson
jonjohnsonnews@gmail.com
SAFFORD – The Graham County Department of Health and Human Services announced 17 new positive test results for COVID-19 on Friday, putting Graham County’s total at 201 for the course of the pandemic.
Graham County has a population of about 39,000 and the county has performed 1,884 tests. The county currently has 148 active cases, with 50 recovered cases, three deaths and two current hospitalizations. There are still more than 100 lab tests that are pending completion.
Out of the 17 new cases, 11 are from Safford, three from Thatcher, two from Pima, and one from the San Carlos Apache Reservation. All known close contacts of the new cases have been notified and place on quarantine by the health department.
Out of Graham County’s cases, 37 and under the age of 20, 57 are between the ages of 21-34, 78 are between the ages of 35-64, and 29 are 65 years old or older.
Graham County Health Department Director Brian Douglas said additional positive tests are likely over the weekend.
“Our department will receive test results from the pending labs over the next several days,” Douglas said. “We are anticipating additional positives over the weekend. We have to strengthen our efforts to slow the spread of the virus. It’s more important than ever to wear face coverings in public, social distancing by six feet, washing hands frequently, and staying home.”
Greenlee County
As of Friday night, the Greenlee County Department of Health is reporting 32 total cases, with 19 currently active cases, 12 recovered cases, and one death.
Greenlee County has performed 591 tests and has 70 lab results still pending.
