Arizona COVID-19 cases: 7 days
Cases 561,542 | Deaths 9,064
On Monday, Jan. 4, the Arizona Department of Health Services reported 5,158 new cases of COVID-19 and 3 additional deaths. Sunday, Jan. 3, saw over 17,000 new reported cases, a record for the state.
Ducey to deliver 'state of the state' speech virtually
AP/AZPM
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey will deliver his annual “state of the state” address virtually. Ducey’s office on Monday announced the unprecedented arrangement to limit the spread of COVID-19.
In lieu of his traditional speech to lawmakers and state dignitaries on the floor of the state House, Ducey will speak Monday from his office at the state Capitol.
Ducey has traditionally used his speech on the first day of the Legislative session to tout his successes and lay out his priorities for the coming year.
Tucson airport has highest passenger count since March
AZPM
The Tucson International Airport says about 19,000 people travelled through the airport the last week of December — the highest weekly total the staffers have seen since March.
Bruce Goetz , the airport's Chief Operating Officer, said when compared to last year, it's 42% of what he considers normal.
"The numbers and what happened over the holidays in terms of the volumes of people [who] came through, are really exactly what we were expecting and what we were prepared for," Goetz said.
He said that averages out to about 2,100 - 2,500 passengers per day, whereas last year at this time of year 6 - 7,000 passengers came through the airport each day.
If passengers need a mask, Goetz said they have racks with free masks dotted throughout the airport. Goetz estimates that the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, gave TIA more than 140,000 masks six months ago for its workers and passengers, and he doesn't want them to go to waste.
Pima County's COVID-19 costs keep growing
AZPM
Pima County begins 2021 with a fifteen million dollar shortfall from expenses related to the pandemic. Those costs are expected to mount unless more state or federal aid becomes available.
In a December 31 memo to the county Board of Supervisors, Administrator Chuck Huckelberry says the county got $87 million through the federal CARES act for coronavirus testing, payroll costs, public health campaigns, and other expenses. But he says the county spent all that money, and as much as $15 million more, by the end of 2020.
Without outside aid, that cost would have to be carved out of other county programs. And no more federal aid is on the horizon, at least not yet.
Arizona reports more than 5,100 new COVID-19 cases, 3 deaths
AP
Arizona health officials have reported 5,158 new cases of COVID-19 and three additional deaths.
The latest figures released Monday by the Arizona Department of Health Services come as the number of people hospitalized due to the virus hits a new high. Officials say 54% of in-patient hospitalizations across the state are COVID-19 related.
Those in intensive care units because of the virus is also at a record high for Arizona. According to state health officials, only 7% of ICU beds remain available.
In total, Arizona has now seen 561,542 COVID-19 cases and 9,064 deaths since the pandemic began.
Navajo Nation reports 146 new cases of COVID-19, 3 deaths
AP
WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Department of Health on Monday identified 73 communities with uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 on the tribe’s vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
The Navajo Nation has renewed a mandated lockdown requiring all residents to stay home except for emergencies, shopping for essentials like food and medicine or traveling to an essential job. The lockdown is slated to last until Jan. 11.
Late Sunday, tribal health officials reported 146 additional cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths. The latest figures increased the tribe’s totals since the pandemic began to 23,728 cases and 819 known deaths.
CARES Act Funds Bring Electric, Water Upgrades To Navajo Nation
Fronteras Desk
Hundreds of homes have been wired for electricity since the Navajo Nation authorized use of $110 million in CARES Act funding last fall.
Workers have brought electricity to 713 homes so far through the project, exceeding the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority's initial goal of 510 homes. The project has also completed 60 bathroom additions, 101 cistern water systems, 98 septic systems and replaced pumps and motors on 62 water wells.
Future plans include adding solar panels on 200 homes and cellular tower and broadband internet upgrades across the Navajo Nation.
In a news release, President Jonathan Nez commended the utility workers for expediting the project to improve tribal members’ quality of life.
Virus fears halt Arizona county's annual homeless count
AP
PHOENIX — Agencies helping the homeless in Arizona’s largest county say the annual count of people living on the streets has been cancelled this year because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic.
The Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care includes shelters and other services for homeless people. It says the U.S. The Department of Housing and Urban Development allowed it to opt out of the January 2021 count.
The Maricopa Association of Governments last week announced it cancelled the outdoors count and face to face interviews amid a surge in reported COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations.
Last year's effort counted 3,767 homeless people in Maricopa County.
By submitting your comments, you hereby give AZPM the right to post your comments and potentially use them in any other form of media operated by this institution.