Arizona COVID-19 cumulative counts, Dec. 14
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Select regional and national coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic as of Monday, May 11. For more coverage, visit our resource page. This story may be updated.
Some restaurants in Arizona reopen with virus restrictions
AP, May 11
PHOENIX (AP) — Some restaurants in Arizona reopened for dine-in service as Gov. Doug Ducey relaxed more measures aimed at easing the coronavirus pandemic.
From large chains to mom and pop eateries, restaurants were allowed to host patrons for the first time Monday in nearly two months at limited capacity and with other restrictions that include more space between tables and no parties with more than 10 people.
In making the decision, Ducey cited a downward trend in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. However, some restaurants posted on social media that they will remain closed until the governor’s stay-at-home order expires Friday or they feel prepared to meet the new conditions.
'Practically all' of Sonora in coronavirus 'phase 3'
Fronteras Desk, May 11
Cases of COVID-19 are growing quickly in Sonora, Arizona’s neighbor to the south.
As of Thursday evening, the state was nearing 500 confirmed cases and had 45 confirmed deaths.
“They’re no longer imported cases, or outbreaks among family members,” said Gerardo Alvarez, with the state health secretary’s office. “Now there are outbreaks among workers in diverse professions.”
There is now extensive community — or Phase 3 — spread in “practically all of the state,” he added.
Hermosillo, the state capital, is also on track to soon overtake the border city San Luis Rio Colorado as the site with the most confirmed cases, according to Alvarez. Hermosillo had 123 confirmed cases to San Luis’ 183, according to the most recent state data available.
Worry, caution likely to linger for many shoppers
AZPM, May 11
Some Arizona businesses are reopening today amid continuing concerns about the coronavirus.
The lifting of restrictions comes as surveys show many people are hesitant about going back to business as usual. AZPM talked about this issue with University of Arizona consumer sciences professor Sabrina Helm.
UA expanding Global Campus program as international enrollment drop looms
AZPM, May 11
With international students unable or unwilling to come back to the University of Arizona campus due to the pandemic, the university since March has been expanding its Global Campus program by adding partner universities and housing locations.
Global Campuses are universities or off-campus college housing in 34 countries around the world where people can earn 60 UA undergraduate and graduate degrees online while participating in a college community. Brent White, the dean of Global campuses and international education, said in an interview Friday that over the last three weeks the number of global campuses grew from 10 locations to 131.
Swings in daily reported COVID-19 deaths potentially misleading
AZPM, May 11
Last week saw some of the biggest daily swings in the number of new reported COVID-19 related deaths in Arizona. But a county health official says those reports don't tell the full story of recent days.
On Monday, the Arizona Department of Health Services website listed zero new reported deaths. The numbers rose and fell through the week, then Friday, the state reported 67 new deaths, Arizona's biggest apparent one-day jump so far.
"The fact that you get so many deaths reported on a particular day doesn't mean they died even within the last few days — sometimes, that deaths occurred weeks earlier," said Pima County Health Director Bob England.
Mother's Day goes virtual at migrant aid center in Nogales
AZPM, May 11
The coronavirus pandemic changed how families everywhere celebrated Mother’s Day this year. At the border, a migrant aid group found a way to adapt the way they honor mothers passing through.
Kino Border Initiative Communications Director Katy Sharar said the group has adapted by opting for to-go meals and asking families to send just one person to pick up food to limit crowds. She said they usually make a special effort to honor migrant mothers passing through on Mother’s Day with a celebration.
US plans reimagine fighting wildfires amid crews' virus risk
AP, May 11
BOISE, Idaho (AP) — New plans offer a national reimagining of how to fight wildfires amid the risk of the coronavirus spreading through crews. But it's not clear how officials will get the testing and equipment needed to keep firefighters safe in what’s expected to be a difficult fire season.
A U.S. group last week released broad guidelines to consider when sending crews to blazes. Different parts of the country can tailor the guidelines, which include having firefighters camp in smaller groups and keeping crews separated. A letter from lawmakers says the U.S. Forest Service determined that large fire camps could have a disproportionately high mortality rate in worst-case scenarios. Agency officials say that risk assessment is "outdated."
Virus rampages across vast Navajo lands, close-knit families
AP, May 11
TUBA CITY, Arizona (AP) — The Navajo reservation spans three western U.S. states and has some of the highest rates of coronavirus in the country. With roughly 175,000 people living there, the tribe has seen 3,122 cases. At least 100 people have died.
The numbers continue to grow. Handwashing and isolation are the most basic measures to fight the spread of the virus. But that can be difficult when many families live in close quarters and don't have running water. If Navajos are susceptible to the virus’ spread in part because they are so closely knit, that’s also how many believe they will beat it.
White House recommends tests for all nursing home residents
AP, May 11
WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House is recommending that all nursing home residents and staff be tested for the coronavirus in the next two weeks.
Vice President Mike Pence, who leads the White House coronavirus task force, told governors on a video conference call Monday that it’s the federal government’s strong recommendation that such testing be done. Dr. Deborah Birx, the task force coordinator, told governors to focus over the next two weeks on testing all 1 million nursing home residents. She says the White House will help states that need it.
IRS sets deadline for relief payment by direct deposit
AP, May 11
Taxpayers who want to get their economic impact payments from the IRS directly deposited to their bank accounts have less than 48 hours to enter their information online.
The IRS said that people should use the “Get My Payment” tool on the IRS website by noon on Wednesday to provide their direct deposit information. After that, the number of paper checks being delivered to taxpayers will sharply increase. The government has sent out about 130 million payments in the first four weeks of the program both by direct deposit and by mail.
New coronavirus test is imperfect step toward mass screening
AP, May 11
WASHINGTON (AP) — A new coronavirus test could be a key but imperfect step toward the kind of mass screening deemed essential to reopening schools and businesses.
The new test is cheaper and quicker than the current standard. Instead of detecting the virus itself, the new test detects proteins that predict infection. But the new test is not quite the breakthrough sought by top government health officials. It is less accurate than the gold standard test and can only be run on special equipment.
The Food and Drug Administration authorized the new test over the weekend.
54,000 still getting pay held over student debt, filing says
AP, May 11
A Monday court filing from the U.S. Education Department says the agency was still garnishing wages from more than 50,000 workers who had fallen behind on their student loans more than a month after Congress ordered an immediate suspension of the practice during the coronavirus pandemic.
The finding, which included the number of garnishments as of last week, was part of a court-ordered update jointly filed by the Education Department and by a home health aide leading a class action lawsuit against the agency. The aide says the department has illegally docked her pay multiple times. The department says it’s “continuing to endeavor to halt all wage garnishments.”
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