By Jon Johnson
PHOENIX – As of Thursday morning, Greenlee and Gila counties are the only two Arizona counties that have not had a positive test for the novel coronavirus COVID-19 . . . yet.
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, there have now been 508 positive tests and eight deaths due to the COVID-19 virus in Arizona.
Maricopa County still leads the pack with 299 positive tests, followed by Pima County with 75, Navajo County – 43, Pinal County – 35, Coconino County – 28, Apache County – 9, Yavapai County – 5, Yuma County – 4, Graham County – 2, Mohave County – 2, La Paz County – 2, Cochise County – 2, Santa Cruz County – 2.
The two confirmed cases in Graham County have both fully recovered, according to Graham County Health Department Director Brian Douglas. While more than 6,600 Arizonans have been tested with most coming up negative, there are likely more cases than shown on the state’s website due to only those showing severe symptoms being tested. A number of people infected with the virus will show only moderate symptoms or no symptoms at all.
The Arizona State Public Health Laboratory has confirmed 52 of the positive tests, while the other 456 have been confirmed by private laboratories.
The virus has upended life in the Gila Valley as the state and country attempt to “lower the curve” of cases to not overwhelm our nation’s healthcare system with patients in need of critical care.
As of Thursday, more than 65,000 Americans have tested positive for the virus nationwide and at least 1,046 people have died because of it. Roughly half of the nation’s COVID-19 cases are in New York state alone.
Under an executive order from Governor Doug Ducey, all restaurants in counties with confirmed COVID-19 cases are required to provide dine-out options only or completely close. Additionally, all bars, movie theaters, and gyms in counties with a confirmed case were also shuttered, as of March 20.
