Arizona COVID-19 cumulative counts, Dec. 14
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Select regional and national coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic as of Friday, April 17. For more coverage, visit our resource page. This story may be updated.
Watch this week's episode of Arizona 360 for more information on the impacts of coronavirus in the state.
UA to furlough, cut pay of employees
AZPM, April 17
University of Arizona President Robert Robbins Friday outlined a plan of budget cuts and employee furloughs to head off a potential shortfall of at least $250 million. Besides freezing new hiring and construction, all employees will see unpaid days off or salary cuts.
The plan Robbins announced calls for employees paid less than $44,500 per year to be given 13 unpaid days off. Those earning $44,500 to $75,000 will be furloughed for 26 days, and those paid $75,001 to $150,000, would see 39 days of furlough. The days will be taken "over time," between May 1 of this year and June 30, 2021.
Mental health, abuse resources available amid pandemic
The Buzz, April 17
As the economic and social impacts of the coronavirus pandemic continue to deepen and spread, some groups are hit harder than others.
The pandemic, and related social distancing and stay at home orders, are challenging, stressful and scary for everyone. But it can be worse for people who already struggle with addiction or preexisting mental health challenges.
Learn more about available resources on The Buzz.
Domestic abuse center remains open amid pandemic
AZPM, April 17
The city of Tucson’s main resource for those experiencing domestic abuse is still open during the pandemic, but it’s adapting how it provides services.
Ed Mercurio-Sakwa, CEO of Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse, said for Tucsonans experiencing domestic violence, sheltering-in-place to remain virus-free can mean spending more time in a dangerous situation at home with an abusive partner. He said that’s why it’s important Emerge stays operational.
“This really is more important than ever. It’s one of the most unique but globally dangerous times for domestic violence victims,” Mercurio-Sakwa said.
Data: AZ hospital beds, ventilators adequate for COVID-19 surge
Arizona Daily Star, April 17
Analysis of available data shows Arizona is equipped with enough hospital beds and ventilators to meed the demand of a surge in COVID-19 patients.
Both the Arizona Department of Health Services and a University of Arizona public health researcher said this week the state would be OK, a shift in messaging from late March when a health official said the number of beds wasn't expected to be sufficient for the first anticipated surge in patients toward the end of April.
The state's health director warned that people need to stay vigilant about distancing practices despite encouraging signs from the data.
Read more at Tucson.com
Tohono Nation reports second death from COVID-19
AZPM, April 17
The Tohono O’odham Nation chairman announced Friday a second tribal member has died due to COVID-19 complications.
Chairman Ned Norris Jr. and Vice Chairwoman Wavalene Saunders went on the nation’s radio station, KOHN, and told listeners 18 people connected to the nation have tested positive for the virus, as of Friday morning.
Norris said health care facilities off the nation identified most of the cases, and that recent positive cases in the nation are within families. He said many of these people have underlying health conditions. The tribal government is still enforcing a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew and a shelter-in-place order for those living in the nation.
Advocates urge release of prisoners as Arizona fights virus
AP, April 17
PHOENIX (AP) — As the coronavirus surfaces in Arizona prisons, advocates for inmates worry that they’re running out of time to persuade Gov. Doug Ducey to avoid a larger outbreak by releasing some of the 42,000 people who live in close quarters behind bars.
The Republican governor has insisted he won’t free prisoners in response to the pandemic, even as other states are reducing prison populations to increase social distancing, and local authorities across Arizona have released at least 300 nonviolent inmates from county jails.
Ducey has not explained why he won’t release inmates. Corrections officials say the health and safety of staff, inmates and communities are their top priority.
'LIBERATE!': Trump pushes states to lift virus restrictions
AP, April 17
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is urging his supporters to “LIBERATE” three states led by Democratic governors, in effect encouraging protests against the stay-at-home restrictions to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
The president took to Twitter on Friday with the kind of rhetoric some of his supporters have used to demand the lifting of the orders that have thrown millions of Americans out of work. Some states under Republican leadership are edging toward easing up the mandates, though governors of both parties are suggesting they will be cautious and asking for help from Washington to expand testing.
No plan in sight: Test troubles cloud Trump recovery effort
AP, April 17
WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is struggling to test enough people for the novel coronavirus so officials can track and control the spread of the disease. That's a crucial first step to reopening parts of the economy, as President Donald Trump is pushing to do by May 1.
Trump's plan hinges on a downward trajectory of positive tests. It's been more than a month since he said "anybody who wants a test, can get a test.” Today, the reality on the ground is much different. People report being unable to get tested, and health workers say supply shortages make more testing impossible.
Scant testing in US migration system risks spreading virus
AP, April 17
GUATEMALA CITY (AP) — Migrants' advocates are warning that the Trump administration’s failure to test all but a small percentage of detained immigrants for the novel coronavirus may be spreading the disease through the United States’ sprawling system of detention centers and then to Central America and elswhere aboard regular deportation flights.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has confirmed 105 cases of the virus in at least 25 separate detention facilities, along with at least 25 employees. In Guatemala, fears are rising that the flights may have seeded the country with an untold number of undetected cases. Several cases of local infection are already believed to be linked to deportees.
About 26,000 Arizona tenants seek help to pay landlords
AP, April 16
PHOENIX (The Arizona Republic) — More than 26,000 Arizona tenants are asking for help paying their rent because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Arizona Department of Housing officials say the average aid requested is about $890 with the money going directly to landlords. The Arizona Republic reports that a state fund of $5 million was launched last month for renters hurt by COVID-19. The state housing agency is working with local eviction-prevention agencies across Arizona to administer the renter funds.
The median rent in the Phoenix metro area reached $1,100 in March. The renter-aid fund began days after Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order to delay evictions for renters either quarantined or facing economic hardships due to the coronavirus.
Read more at AZCentral.com.
Arizona hospitals feel financial stress amid virus outbreak
AP, April 16
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — An industry group says Arizona hospitals that have canceled elective surgeries on the orders of the governor while preparing for a surge of coronavirus patients that hasn’t happened are feeling huge financial pressure.
The Arizona Hospital and Healthcare Association said Thursday facilities are planning furloughs, pay cuts, forced vacations or other measures to reduce costs as revenue has plummeted by as much as 40%. They want Gov. Doug Ducey to ease up on the ban on elective surgeries he imposed March 19 that was designed to open space for a surge of virus patients and preserve limited supplies of masks, gowns, gloves and other protective equipment.
Tribes sue over distribution of coronavirus relief funding
AP, April 17
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Several Native American tribes sued the federal government Friday, seeking to keep federal coronavirus relief for tribes out of the hands of for-profit Alaska Native corporations.
The tribes in Washington state, Maine and Alaska filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. Already, tribes had raised questions about how the $8 billion would be distributed. Some say the corporations shouldn't receive a share because the they are not tribal governments. Tribes are relying on the cash after having to shut down casinos, tourism operations and other businesses that serve as their main moneymakers.
The Interior Department says Alaska Native corporations are eligible for the funding.
Mexico extending COVID-19 measures
Fronteras Desk, April 16
As COVID-19 cases rise, Mexico plans to extend its anti-coronavirus measures by a month.
Across the country, businesses have shuttered, schools are empty, and people have been staying home except to shop for food or go to work deemed essential. Those measures were to remain in place through the end of April.
“Now it will be extended until May 30 for the purpose of maintaining the intensity of mitigation measures that are yielding results,” said Hugo López Gatell, undersecretary of Prevention and Health Promotion.
In some parts of Mexico where there is little or no confirmed transmission, those measures could be lifted a few weeks earlier, according to López. But the lifting of restrictions anywhere depends on their continued observation across the country, he said.
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