Arizona health officials say a surge of deaths from the Coronavirus this week is likely the result of a boost in cases weeks ago and should slow because hospitalizations appear to have leveled off.
The state counted 62 deaths in three days this week, a surge well above the average seen in recent weeks. But, health officials say it was not an unexpected boost because it frequently takes several weeks for patients to die once they are hospitalized.
The Arizona Department of Health Services reported 5,769 cases as of Thursday. That’s an increase of 310 cases since Wednesday.
Meanwhile, health officials are reporting 78 new cases of coronavirus on the Navajo Nation along with three more deaths as of Thursday.
The Navajo Department of Health says the tribe now has 1,360 positive COVID-19 cases and 52 known deaths. Of those who have tested positive, health officials say 718 are women and 642 are men with an average age of 48. The numbers don’t include cases in towns that border the vast reservation and previously were included in the total for the Navajo Nation.
The tribe is extending the closure of the tribal government until mid-May because of the Coronavirus outbreak.
