Active coronavirus cases in Graham County climbs to 211

- David Bell Graph/Gila Valley Central

SAFFORD — Add another 26 new cases of COVID-19 to the Gila Valley’s total.

Graham County Health Department announced the new cases Wednesday, bringing the total number of active cases in the Valley to 211, and 5,864 total cases since the start of the pandemic.

The new cases bring August’s total thus far to 189, the most for any month in 2021 since 1,889 new cases were reported in January.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, Graham County has the fifth worst rate of cases per 100,000 population at 15,240.7, behind Apache at 16,844.9, Yuma at 16,672.7, Navajo at 15,826.3 and Santa Cruz at 15,716.4.

Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center reported that 42 percent of patients were at the hospital due to COVID-19 as of Monday, Aug. 16.

“Our experience over the last year and a half tells us these spikes could begin to stress our hospital’s capacity in the coming days,” hospital officials wrote in a press release.

“MGRMC is prepared, we have enough equipment, tests, we have the staffing, and we are ready to handle the worst of the worst if we have to. However, we are asking each of you, our entire community, to come together to help keep everyone safe.”

Arizona Department of Health Services reports 30.7 percent of Graham County’s residents have been vaccinated, the second lowest vaccination rate of all 15 counties in the state, behind only Apache County at 25.2 percent.

Graham County continues to offer free vaccinations for anyone over the age of 12. To schedule an appointment, go to  Activities • Graham County, AZ • CivicEngage.

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