State health officials say the number of known coronavirus-related deaths in Arizona has surpassed 4,000.
The Arizona Department of Health Services reported today another 70 known deaths from the virus. Some of the fatalities were likely counted after health officials reviewed death certificates going back weeks. Still, the news comes a day after Maricopa County public health officials confirmed 22 bodies were moved to portable storage coolers. Officials say the action was taken after the medical examiner’s office in metro Phoenix approached 90% capacity. The current total of known cases in Arizona since the pandemic began is now close to 184,000.
The Navajo Nation yesterday reported 39 new cases of COVID-19 and 4 more known deaths. Nearly 6,800 people have recovered from the virus and close to 84,000 Tribal members have been tested to date. The highest concentration of cases continues to be in the Gallup Service Unit, followed by Shiprock and Kayenta. The Hopi Tribe reports 43 positive tests for Hopi Villages, with a combined number of 357 positive tests among Hopi Tribal members. The Hopi Health Care Center has tested more than 3,300 people to date.
