Case Count Nears 80,000
With 4,682 new cases reported today, June 30, Arizona’s COVID-19 case count is at 79,215, as reported by the Arizona Department of Health Services. This is a 36.2 percent increase in cases reported since last Tuesday, June 23. As of yesterday, June 29, the ADHS reports that 86 percent of adult ICU beds and 85 percent of inpatient beds at Arizona hospitals are currently in use.
Death Toll Surpasses 1,600
The ADHS has reported 44 new COVID-19 deaths today, bringing the total up to 1,632 – an 18 percent increase since last Tuesday’s reported numbers. The most affected population continues to be those aged 65 and older, who make up 74 percent of the total.
Governor Ducey Pauses Reopening
In light of recent surges in COVID-19 cases, Governor Doug Ducey has put a pause on reopenings in an effort to curb the numbers. Two weeks ago, he announced that local governments could implement and enforce their own policies on face masks. Since then, many places in Arizona have begun to require face coverings in public. Governor Ducey has issued a new executive order, which went into effect yesterday, stating that bars, indoor gyms and fitness centers, indoor movie theaters, water parks and tubing operators will need to “pause operations until at least July 27, 2020, unless extended.” Executive Order 2020-43 also bans organized gatherings of more than 50 people – unless pre-approved by local governments and executed with proper safety measures – and has allowed pools to stay open so long as they follow specific social distancing guidelines including limiting gatherings to 10 people or less.
