Arizona COVID-19 cases: 7 days
Cases 837,244 | Deaths 16,798
On Tuesday, March 23, Arizona reported 507 new cases of COVID-19 and 53 additional deaths. Arizona’s daily case rates and deaths counts have declined significantly in the past two weeks, the Associated Press reports.
Local officials talk about new federal stimulus package
AZPM
The American Rescue Plan, signed into law by President Joe Biden, means money meant for COVID-19 relief will come directly to local governments and local officials are celebrating that change.
“The CARES Act, the funding that became available through the previous administration, that to some extent was a nightmare,” said Ned Norris, Jr., Chairman of the Tohono O’odham Nation.
Norris said the money from the CARES Act was helpful, but the paperwork and process needed to get it was difficult.
Pima County officials are also looking forward to the new round of money coming from the federal government.
Tucson checking contents of recycling bins
AZPM
Food waste, yard waste, construction debris, human and animal waste, and dead animals are just some of the things found in Tucson curbside recycling bins.
Those items when combined with used pizza boxes, plastic bags, and unwashed containers mean nearly a third of what is recycled in Tucson is considered contaminated.
Contaminants in the recycling stream cost the City of Tucson about $30,000 a month in fees from the company that processes the city’s recycling.
To cut down on that, the city is launching an eight-week campaign to educate residents about what can and cannot be recycled.
Researchers developing sensor testing for COVID-19
AZPM
University of Arizona researchers are investigating new ways to test for COVID-19.
One effort uses optical science to fine-tune detection of the coronavirus. UA professor Judith Su explains it’s possible to find single molecules of COVID-19 with a test that could yield results in less than a minute.
“You know, a lot of these tests, it takes time to amplify the DNA or you need to have a specific viral load. We’re very sensitive so we can detect single viruses," she said.
The new system is still under development. Scientists say the work is important because some new COVID-19 variants are evading detection through typical PCR testing that has become the worldwide standard for finding the virus.
A Colorado River showdown is looming. Let the posturing begin
AZPM, KUER, KUNC
A showdown is looming on the Colorado River. The river’s existing management guidelines are set to expire in 2026. The states that draw water from it are about to undertake a new round of negotiations over the river’s future, while it’s facing worsening dry conditionsdue in part to rising temperatures.
That means everyone with an interest in the river’s future -- tribes, environmentalists, developers, business groups, recreation advocates -- is hoping a new round of talks will bring certainty to existing water supplies and demands.
To prepare for the talks, and to coalesce around a set of priorities, leaders in the individual states are attempting to settle their internal issues before coming to that broader negotiating table.
Arizona university scientists propose lunar Earth repository
AP
A University of Arizona scientist and his five students said natural underground caverns on the moon could be used to store frozen samples of Earth’s species in order to protect biodiversity in the event of global catastrophe.
Jekan Thanga and his students presented a paper during a virtual international conference earlier this month on the concept. Thanga said the underground biological repository would serve as a backup copy of frozen seeds, spores, sperm and egg samples from most Earth species.
Students Álvaro Díaz-Flores Caminero and Claire Pedersen said the idea came from the biblical story of Noah’s Ark, but instead of two of every animal, the lunar ark would store 50 samples from each of the chosen species.
Arizona rolling averages of COVID cases, deaths drop sharply
AP
Arizona on Tuesday reported 507 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and 53 more deaths as rolling averages of daily new cases and daily deaths dropped sharply over the past two weeks.
The latest figures increased the state’s pandemic totals to 837,244 cases and 16,798 deaths.
As of Monday, 650 COVID-19 patients occupied inpatient beds. That's up from 647 on Sunday but far below the Jan. 11 pandemic of 5,082.
According to Johns Hopkins University data., the seven-day rolling average of daily cases plummeted from 1,345 on March 7 to 479 on Sunday. Meanwhile, the rolling average of daily deaths dropped from 49.9 to 27.4 during the same period.
Navajo Nation reports no new coronavirus cases and no deaths
AP
WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Nation on Monday reported no new COVID-19 cases and no deaths. It was the second consecutive day that the tribe has not recorded a coronavirus-related death.
The death toll remains at 1,233 since the pandemic began with the number of confirmed cases at 30,007 on the vast reservation that covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
The Navajo Nation had a soft reopening last week with 25% capacity for some businesses under certain restrictions. Still, mask mandates and daily curfews remain. Tribal health officials say more than 191,000 vaccine doses have been distributed.
Arizona officials warn of bad 2021 wildfire season
AP
PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and state forestry officials are urging the public to be wary because a looming wildfire season has the potential to be exceptionally devastating due to widespread drought.
There is very little snowpack in the ponderosa pine forests that cover large parts of northern and eastern Arizona. And portions of the state with grasslands that haven’t burned recently are loaded with years of growth dried out by low rainfall.
State fire management officer John Truett said Monday that as soon as temperatures rise, central and southern Arizona could see widespread wildfires. By June, the whole state will be in danger.
Arizona bill banning abortion for genetic issues in trouble
AP
PHOENIX — A Republican member of the Arizona House says she can’t support a proposal that would make it a felony in Arizona for a doctor to perform an abortion because the fetus has a genetic abnormality such as Down Syndrome.
Rep. Regina Cobb’s decision Tuesday could end the effort to enact the wide-ranging anti-abortion proposal bill as it is currently written. That's because Republicans hold just a one-vote House majority and Democrats appear solidly opposed.
Cobb says the measure already passed by the Senate forces women to carry a fetus that can't survive.
New Data: Sonoran Businesses Took Major Hit During Pandemic
Fronteras Desk
New data shows that businesses have taken a major hit during the pandemic in neighboring Sonora.
Roughly one in five formal Sonoran businesses that were open in 2019 closed by the fall of 2020, according to Mexico’s national statistics and geography institute (INEGI). For informal businesses, which account for a sizable portion of the Mexican economy, that figure was roughly one in four. Both were above the national averages.
New businesses also started in Sonora during the same period, but the growth rate was one of the slowest among Mexico’s 32 states.
Countrywide, slightly over 1 million businesses closed between the spring of 2019 and the fall of 2020, with another 620,000 opening, an overall drop of just over 8%.
Negative Tests To Be Required For Sonoran Beach Access
Fronteras Desk
To get to the state’s famous beach destinations — like San Carlos or Kino Bay — state authorities are going to ask for proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test, no older than 72 hours. Proof of a hotel reservation or similar lodging arrangement will also be needed. The requirements will start this Friday and last until April 11.
“It’s increasing too quickly,” said Sonoran Health Secretary Enrique Clausen of the COVID test positivity rate.
Health authorities fear a third wave brought on by travel during the coming weeks. New cases and deaths have been holding steady in recent days after dramatic declines from the second wave, though hospitalizations have ticked up modestly, according to data monitored by the University of Sonora.
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