Arizona Now Up to 27 Cases of COVID-19

As the number of coronavirus cases in Arizona grows, more businesses announce temporary closures to help reduce spread.

Arizona now has 27 cases of coronavirus, up from 20 on Tuesday, according to state health department numbers updated Wednesday morning. 

Eleven are in Maricopa County, while eight are in Pinal, five in Pima, two in Navajo, and one in Graham. 

Fourteen of those positive results came from the state’s Public Health Laboratory, while 13 came from commercial labs. The total number of people tested in the state lab is now at 265, with 102 samples pending and 148 ruled negative. It is unknown how many tests have been performed in private labs, which only report the number of confirmed cases to the state.

According to Maricopa County Public Health, one patient previously ruled positive for coronavirus has been removed from the total count. The man, who is in his 90s, tested positive at the state lab but negative when the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tested his sample to confirm his result, according to the Phoenix New Times. 

More Closures

As of Wednesday, all bars have been shut down in Flagstaff, Phoenix, and Tucson. The cities’ mayors also limited restaurants to takeout and delivery orders only. 

Multiple casinos also announced decisions to close down, according to ABC 15. Gila River Hotels and Casinos shuttered Lone Butte, Vee Quiva, and Wild Horse Pass for two weeks starting early Wednesday. Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort also shut their doors Wednesday morning with tentative plans to reopen March 31. Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino, the West Valley Desert Diamond Casino, and Fort McDowell Casino appear to be open. 

Outside of the Phoenix area, Casino del Sol in Tucson will close Wednesday at 5 p.m. and plans to reopen April 13. The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise began a three-week suspension of gaming operations at its four casinos on Tuesday, according to Native News Online.

Arizona Snowbowl, a ski resort in Flagstaff, halted its operations Tuesday until further notice. “You see, we walk a very fine line when it comes to being responsible operators and being passionate skiers,” general manager Rob Linde said in a statement. “Like so many of you, we want to ski. But at the end of the day, the health and well being of you, our guests, and our employees are of unparalleled importance.” 

Grand Canyon West, which operates the Grand Canyon Skywalk and the Hualapai Lodge, shut down operations Wednesday for at least two weeks. The Diamond Creek Lounge at the lodge has moved to take-out only orders through March 31.