By Jon Johnson
SAFFORD – After going a month without any new infections, two new cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 were reported in Graham County on Wednesday, April 22.
According to a news release from the Graham County Department of Health and Human Services, the health department is investigating possible exposures to the two new positive tests and isolate and quarantine those sick with the illness and anyone who had close contact with them during their infectious period.
The two new patients live in separate households but share a common workplace, according to the release. The health department declined to advise where the workplace was to help keep the patients’ privacy.
“Those people who need to be contacted have been contacted,” Graham County Health Department Director Brian Douglas said.
“We are still in the midst of this pandemic and it is critical that we continue to follow the CDC guidelines and the ‘Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected’ executive order,” Douglas said.
As of Wednesday morning, the Arizona Department of Health Services is reporting a total of 5,459 cases in Arizona since the pandemic began – an increase of 208 new cases from the previous day. The virus has killed 229 people in Arizona, with 21 new deaths reported on Wednesday.
Maricopa County leads the way in the number of positive tests with 2,846, followed by Pima County with 973, Navajo County – 527, Coconino County – 353, Pinal County – 283, Apache County – 235, Yavapai County – 73, Mohave County – 62, Cochise County – 31, Yuma County – 28, Santa Cruz County – 28, Gila County – 10, La Paz County – 6, Greenlee County – 2, and Graham County – 2. The two new cases in Graham County will bring its total to 4 with the original two patients having made a full recovery.
The San Carlos Apache tribe has submitted 178 tests as of Wednesday with zero positive results and nine pending.
General things that everyone should do to prevent the spread of all respiratory illnesses include:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular EPA registered household cleaning spray or wipes.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
What you need to know about COVID-19:
- COVID-19 causes a wide range of symptoms including fever, cough, and sometimes difficulty breathing.
- Most people (about 80%) develop only mild symptoms, particularly children.
- Like influenza, those most likely to develop severe disease are people older than 60 years and those with other medical conditions like heart or lung disease.
- The virus is spread person-to-person via respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
- People who are most at risk of becoming infected are those who have prolonged, close contact with a person who is infected with COVID-19 and is symptomatic.
- There is currently no vaccine or treatment for COVID-19.
- Find up to date information at azhealth.gov/COVID-19 and at https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Source: Graham County Department of Health and Human Services
