AZ Reports Single-Day Record For Coronavirus Cases, Deaths

ARIZONA — On June 25, Gov. Ducey warned that Arizonans should have "no illusions" about the surge in coronavirus across the state. He predicted the numbers would only get worse. Ducey's words have held up: On Wednesday, state health officials reported record-high numbers for coronavirus cases and deaths.

As of Wednesday morning, Arizona's health department reported 4,878 new coronavirus cases. The ongoing spike comes as the state adjusts to a "30-day pause" in its reopening plan, a measure Ducey announced Monday during a news conference in which he said the state's numbers are moving "in the wrong direction."

While testing has expanded to a total of 549,000 tests, Wednesday's numbers show a 12.4 percent positive rate. Since March, the state has recorded 84,092 cases and 1,720 coronavirus-related deaths.

Meanwhile, the numbers show 1,495 of the state's intensive care unit beds are in use, an all-time high that equals 89 percent of the state's capacity.

On Monday, Ducey announced a 30-day "pause" in the state's reopening plan. He ordered closed all bars, nightclubs and movie theaters. He also ordered a delay in the start of the school year for in-person classes until August 17.

The surge in cases in Arizona and other states has been met with alarm by health officials. On Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence arrived in Arizona, where he and the White House task force met with Ducey and state health officials to discuss the ongoing coronavirus spike. Over the weekend, Pence cancelled an appearance at a scheduled campaign event in Tucson.

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