Pima County Morgue At Capacity, Brings In Refrigerated Trucks

TUCSON, AZ — The Pima County Medical Examiner's office has reached capacity this week.

As of Wednesday, the morgue is full due to a surge in coronavirus cases and deaths in the region. The facility serves as a fatality overflow for nearby hospitals and funeral homes, which have used the medical examiner’s storage since July when the pandemic hit Arizona hard.

Chief Medical Examiner Gregory Hess told KVOA they are storing around 300 to 350 bodies at the Pima County Coroner's Office.

"We got a little overwhelmed following the holidays with a huge increase in numbers again," Hess said. "We had a plan and still have a plan to bring in more refrigerated units to help."

Two refrigerated trucks have been brought in to help the office manage its storage needs as of Thursday, bringing the total idling outside the office to four.

Arizona reported 9,146 new cases and 185 additional deaths from the virus Friday.