Arizona COVID-19 cumulative counts, Dec. 14
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Select regional and national coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic as of Thursday, April 16. For more coverage, visit our resource page. This story may be updated.
Ducey says elective surgeries could return soon
Capitol Media Services, April 16
Gov. Doug Ducey says he is taking a look at the possibility of bringing back elective surgeries to Arizona hospitals, as facilities report high financial losses due to the restriction.
Ducey said he made the order last month to ensure the state's supply of personal protective equipment could keep up with demands brought by the COVID-19 pandemic and handle a potential surge in hospitalizations.
The governor said he was "open-minded" to the idea of bringing back elective surgeries if the supply of medical equipment is predicted to be sufficient, saying the decision would come when the data gives him the confidence to make the decision.
Read more at Tucson.com.
ACLU calls on Border Patrol to halt enforcement at hospitals
AZPM, April 16
The ACLU of Arizona is accusing agents with the Border Patrol of carrying out enforcement operations at a medical facility in Southern Arizona.
A video sent to the legal aid group shows a Border Patrol vehicle in the parking lot of a mobile coronavirus testing site at Tucson's Diamond Children's Medical Center, located at Banner-University Medical Center, on March 20. ACLU Staff Attorney Yvette Borja said agents have been seen at medical facilities in Arizona before, but this is the first report since the pandemic began.
Trump gives governors 3-phase plan to reopen economy
AP, April 16
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has given governors a road map for recovering from the economic pain of the coronavirus pandemic, laying out a phased approach to restoring normal activity.
The new guidelines are aimed at easing restrictions in areas with low transmission of the coronavirus, while holding the line in harder-hit locations. They make clear that the return to normalcy will be a far longer process than Trump initially envisioned.
Federal officials warn that some social distancing measures may need to remain in place through the end of the year to prevent a new outbreak.
Tucsonans hear Banner Health's call for homemade masks
AZPM, April 16
Andy Kramer Petersen, president and CEO of the Banner Health Foundation, says its goal is to receive 100,000 handmade masks for its employees across Arizona who aren’t working directly with COVID-19 patients.
She said they have close to 11,000 "social comfort masks," as of Wednesday.
Business owners left out as lending program goes on hold
AP, April 16
NEW YORK (AP) — The government’s paycheck protection loan program for small businesses is on hold. The Small Business Administration has announced that it reached the $349 billion lending limit for the program.
Thousands of small business owners whose loans have not yet been processed must now wait for Congress to approve a Trump administration request for another $250 billion for the program.
Lawmakers have been haggling over whether to extend the program as it stands now, or whether to add provisions that among other things would help minority businesses. It’s unclear when they might reach an agreement that would allow loan approvals to continue.
Limited data, testing mean COVID-19 cases undercounted
Fronteras Desk, April 15
Little to no testing of undocumented people in the state of Arizona means there’s a hole in the state’s data tracking system.
The state had tested 45,000 people for the coronavirus as of Wednesday. Gov. Doug Ducey has vowed to ramp up testing throughout the state, but the state’s information about current cases is still murky.
State officials have been tallying infections and deaths on a daily basis. But they have stonewalled reporters on specifics about those cases and have omitted crucial information.
Tucson and Rio Nuevo providing aid as federal help grinds to a halt
AZPM, April 15
Many small businesses are struggling to get relief provided by the federal CARES Act. With time and money running out, the city of Tucson and Rio Nuevo have stepped in.
Tucson's leaders are trying to devise a plan to bring the city's economy back when the pandemic is over. That'll be hard to do if there aren't any local businesses left. On Tuesday, the City Council established a $1 million fund to help small businesses that are struggling.
'Underlying conditions' include common health issues
AZPM, April 15
We often hear that people with "underlying conditions" are more likely to suffer a serious case of COVID-19 if they get infected. But what are those underlying conditions? They're some of the most common health issues facing Americans.
At a news conference Wednesday, Maricopa County infectious disease specialist Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine said about 60% of the coronavirus patients who end up in the hospital there have at least one of the most common underlying conditions.
"About a third of people who are hospitalized with COVID-19 have high blood pressure. This is followed by diabetes — where one in four hospitalized patients report this condition — and by cardiac disease or heart disease reported by one in five patients," Sunenshine said.
UA Campus Pantry still serving students and staff
AZPM, April 16
The pandemic has closed most of the University of Arizona, but the Campus Pantry is still open.
The UA Campus Pantry started in 2012 with a goal of helping students and staff who experience food insecurity gain access to nutritional resources.
The pantry was moved to the Sonora Room on the first floor of the Student Union when UA classes moved online. Pantry organizers note the larger space allows for adequate social distancing.
Bridgette Nobbe says more university staffers are visiting the pantry than before the shutdown. Read more here.
Pima County records a rise in deaths by suicide in March
AZPM, April 16
According to the Pima County Health Department, there were 22 deaths by suicide between March 1 and March 28, compared to 12 in February.
The sharpest increase came in the second half of March, when suicides averaged a little more than one per day, double the amount from the previous two weeks.
There are many resources available to people experiencing difficulty or desperation, including the state 2-1-1 hotline, which connects people with help.
Navajo Nation extends weekend lockdowns as virus cases rise
AP, April 15
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation is extending its weekend lockdowns to combat the spread of the coronavirus on the vast Native American reservation that lies in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
The tribe last weekend first put in place the lockdown prohibiting people from leaving their homes except in emergencies on the reservation where about 175,000 people live. That came after weekday nighttime curfews were imposed that remain in place.
The number of Navajo Nation coronavirus cases topped 900 Wednesday with more 35 deaths. Navajo Nation police issued more than 100 criminal nuisance lockdown violation citations last Friday and Saturday.
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