Arizona's number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to surge, with more than 2,500 newly confirmed infections and 32 known deaths.
The Arizona Department of Health reported the new numbers Thursday. Arizona has become a national hotspot for virus. The current total of known positive cases statewide is nearly 45,000, with nearly 1,300 known deaths. Thursday's daily count broke a previous high record set earlier this week. Governor Doug Ducey, this week, told local governments they could mandate wearing face masks in public places. Many cities quickly acted, including Flagstaff, Phoenix and Tucson.
Meanwhile, the Navajo Nation will reinstate a 57 hour weekend lockdown for residents as coronavirus cases continue to climb off the reservation. President Jonathan Nez is urging tribal members not to visit larger cities like Phoenix and Gallup, New Mexico while the virus is surging.
The Hopi Tribe has also declared a curfew order, effective daily from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Tribal leaders say teh coronavirus remains a serious threat to public health on Hopi lands.
