City, town, county officials to meet over growing number of COVID-19 cases

- David Bell Graph/Gila Valley Central

SAFFORD — The Gila Valley has experienced another 25 new cases of COVID-19 and another death as a result of COVID-19.

Graham County Health Department reported the cases and death of a Safford resident over the age of 65 Wednesday.

Graham County has experienced 499 new cases and four deaths thus far this month — the worst month of the pandemic for Graham County thus far — prompting a meeting Thursday between the Health Department and elected officials from across the Valley.

“I will be presenting data,” said Health Department Director Brian Douglas during a recent appearance on Voice of the Valley.

“We’re going to have to come up with a plan and we’re going to have to change something within the community. We’re not able to stay the course where we’re at right now. We’re going to have to change some mindsets.”

Graham County’s total number of cases since the start of the pandemic is 1,745, with 718 cases considered active and 33 deaths.

Graham County’s positivity rate is at 16.4 percent and the mortality rate is 1.89 percent.

Graham County Health Department and Canyonlands Health Care announced a free testing blitz will take place Saturday in the Canyonlands parking lot, 2016 W. 16th St. in Safford, from 7 a.m. to noon.

The drive-through test will employ the Nasopharyngeal test and there will be approximately 300 available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Greenlee County Health Department reported 10 new cases Tuesday evening.

With 12 days remaining in November, there have been 45 new cases in Greenlee County this month, two more than the number of new cases throughout the entire month of October.

Greenlee County’s total is at 148, with 55 cases considered active and two deaths.

Greenlee County’s positivity rate is at 22.7 percent and the mortality rate is at 1.35 percent.

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