Arizona COVID-19 cases: 7 days
Cases 765,083 | Deaths 13,362
On Tuesday, Feb. 2, Arizona reported 2,938 new cases of COVID-19 and 238 additional deaths. Arizona’s daily virus cases and deaths have decreased in recent weeks, the Associated Press reports.
State wants more COVID-19 vaccines used
AZPM
The Arizona Department of Health Services opened a new mass vaccine site, Monday, at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
The site will serve 500 people a day, but could handle more if additional vaccines were available, according to Dr. Cara Christ, Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services.
The site is the second mass vaccination site operated by the state. Christ said she hopes to see more of the sites operated by the state opening in areas outside of Maricopa County, especially in rural areas.
UA has developed a smartphone based COVID-19 test
AZPM
University of Arizona researchers have created a new way to detect COVID-19 in saliva samples, by re-engineering a 2019 norovirus testing method that uses smartphones.
The process starts with a participant gargling a saline solution, like in the UA swish and gargle test. The liquid is then mixed with antibodies with fluorescent beads that adhere to COVID-19 pathogens. A small sample is placed in the rigged columns of a wax microfluidic paper then observed as it moves.
As the antibodies find the COVID-19 pathogens, they form clumps that can be photographed and later counted.
According to a press release, results can be ready in 10 minutes.
Arizona doles out over half its vaccine supply; more coming
AP
PHOENIX — Arizona has administered more than half of its COVID-19 vaccine supply but is expected to get more than 1 million doses soon.
The Arizona Department of Health Services’ daily vaccine report Tuesday shows the state has given out 59% of its vaccine doses, or more than 702,000. But 1.2 million doses were expected to be shipped this week.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 hospitalizations and confirmed new infections are dropping.
Despite that, Arizona had the third-worst COVID-19 diagnosis rate in the U.S. over the past week. The state reported over 2,900 new cases and 238 deaths Tuesday.
Virus cases, hospitalizations continue to drop in Arizona
AP
PHOENIX — COVID-19 hospitalizations and confirmed new cases in Arizona continue to drop.
The state Department of Health Services on Tuesday reported 2,938 additional cases and 238 deaths, increasing Arizona’s pandemic totals to 765,083 cases and 13,362 deaths.
There were 3,513 COVID-19 patients occupying hospital inpatient beds as of Monday, down from the pandemic high of 5,082 on Jan. 11.
Seven-day rolling averages of daily new cases and daily deaths in Arizona both dropped over the past two weeks. That's according to data from The COVID Tracking Project. Arizona had the third-worst COVID-19 diagnosis rate among U.S. states over the past week, behind Texas and South Carolina.
Navajo Nation reports 61 new COVID-19 cases, 2 more deaths
AP
WINDOW ROCK — Navajo Nation health officials on Monday reported 61 new COVID-19 cases and two more deaths.
The latest numbers raised the totals to 28,388 cases and 1,020 known deaths since the pandemic began.
The tribe extended its stay-at-home order with a revised nightly curfew to limit the spread of COVID-19. The Navajo Department of Health has identified 56 communities with uncontrolled spread of the coronavirus, down from 75 communities in recent weeks.
The Navajo Nation also is lifting weekend lockdowns to allow more vaccination events. The actions in the latest public health emergency order will run through at least Feb. 15.
Sonora Finishes 'Black' January With Record Deaths, Cases
Fronteras Desk
After nearly a year since the first COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Sonora, Arizona’s neighbor to the south, the state just had its worst month yet.
In January, more than 11,421 new cases and 1,117 new deaths were officially confirmed, overtaking July as the grimmest month by both measures to date, according to state health data logged daily by University of Sonora data science master’s student Luis Armando Moreno.
The surge in cases and deaths came in the wake of the holidays, when many gathered with friends and families despite calls from authorities not to do so.
Mexico President Reappears After Days Quarantined From COVID-19
Fronteras Desk
MEXICO CITY — Last week, Mexico’s president, who has flouted some of the science related to the pandemic, made public that he had contracted COVID-19. And after rumors spread about his condition, the president appeared in an online video last weekend, still optimistic about his government’s strategy.
In the video, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador appears walking across Mexico’s National Palace without a facemask, saying his doctors tell him he’s in good shape, but still in recovery.
In his message, López Obrador expressed thanks for messages of support he’s received from throughout his country and the world.
Divided Senate OKs expanded tax funds for private schools
AP
Republicans in the Arizona Senate have approved a proposal greatly increasing the size of a program tax money to pay for private school tuition for foster children and students with disabilities.
The Senate approved the proposal on a 16-14 party-line vote. It now goes to the House for consideration.
GOP Sen. David Livingston’s Senate Bill 1041 would expand the cap on the smallest of the four tax credits used to provide scholarships. It would take the cap from $5 million to $20 million over three years.
Arizona to embrace sports betting in deal with tribes
AP
PHOENIX — Arizonans would be allowed to bet on professional and college sports at tribal casinos and at sites owned by pro sports teams under a proposal that is part of an update to the state’s deal allowing Native American tribes to run casinos.
The wide-ranging proposal introduced in the Arizona House on Monday would also allow bets to be placed online, fantasy sports wagering, and add limited Keno games at off-track betting locations and social clubs like the American Legion.
Republican Rep. Jeff Weninger of Chandler is sponsoring the proposal. He says it will bring an as-yet unknown boost to state revenue.
Bruschi returns to Arizona as senior football advisor
AP
Tedy Bruschi is returning to Arizona football. The school announced Brusci will serve as a senior advisor to new coach Jedd Fisch.
Bruschi was a two-time consensus All-American and the Pac-12 Defensive player of the year during his four-year stint in Tucson from 1992-95. He went on to play 13 NFL seasons with the New England Patriots, winning three Super Bowls before retiring in 2009.
Bruschi served as a lead analyst at ESPN after his retirement.
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