Maricopa Coronavirus: 1,514 New Cases Monday, Masks Now Required

PHOENIX — Cases of the new coronavirus continued to rise in Maricopa County on Monday with 1,514 new cases reported, bringing the county's total to 31,650.

According to data from the Arizona Department of Health Services, the rate of cases per 100,000 residents is now at 724.6.

Two new deaths were reported on Monday, and the county's death toll now stands at 634.

In an effort to quell further spread of the virus, the City of Phoenix issued a mandate requiring residents to wear face coverings "whenever they are away from their home or residence and within six feet of another person who is not a member of their family or household," the city said in a release.

Maricopa County also requires that anyone over the age of 2 wear a mask when in public or when physical distance may be difficult to maintain, unless a person has certain health conditions.

People are also exempted from wearing a mask outdoors when exercising if physical distance can be maintained.

Residents are discouraged from wearing N95 respirator-grade masks, but bandanas, cloths, scarves and non-medical masks are permitted.

Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego said masks help prevent community spread of the new coronavirus only when everyone comes together and wears them.

“Community spread is accelerating in Arizona at speeds that should concern everyone,” Gallego said in a statement. “It will take the entire community coming together to protect all who live, work and play in our city. Scientists say wearing a simple face covering is something we must do to slow the spread – and Phoenix is listening.”

Across Arizona, a total of 2,196 new cases of the coronavirus were reported on Monday, bringing the state's total to 54,586. Another three deaths were also reported, bringing the state's death toll to 1,342.

On Sunday, Arizona broke records for hospitalization rates with COVID-19 patients taking up more inpatient and ICU beds and ventilators than ever before.

Statewide, ICU beds had reached 84 percent capacity, and inpatient beds had reached 82 percent capacity, leaving little room for a spike in hospitalizations.

Further, 42 percent of the state's ventilators were in use as of Sunday, leaving just over 1,000 available should the state see an uptick in hospitalizations.

Amid rising case numbers, Gov. Doug Ducey last week rolled out restrictions aimed at businesses and restaurants. Businesses are now required to enforce social distancing and screen their employees for symptoms of COVID-19 prior to each shift.

Restaurants are also now required to enforce social distancing and practice certain sanitization measures.

The new requirements mark Ducey's first issuance of requirements for businesses since his stay-at-home order expired in May.

"There will be enforcement, and they will be held accountable," Ducey said about Arizona businesses, according to The Arizona Republic.