SAFFORD — The Gila Valley experienced just 27 new cases of coronavirus over the past seven days.
That brings March’s total of new cases to just 36 through March 11, a 55 percent drop from the case count in February at the same time.
The majority of new cases — 59 percent — continue to be in the 85546 Zip Code, while 27 percent are in 85552 and 14 percent in 85543.
While the 20- to 44-year-old age group accounts for greatest number of March’s cases (13), it’s the 55-64 age group with eight cases in second for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The 45-54, and 65 and older age groups account for five cases each and those under 20 have experienced six cases.
Graham County’s total number of cases since the start of the pandemic is at 5,326.
The past week also saw two more coronavirus-related deaths in the Gila Valley — a Safford resident over the age of 65 reported Tuesday, and a Safford resident between the ages of 55 and 64 reported Thursday.
That brings the total number of deaths in March thus far to four and 77 in the Gila Valley since the start of the pandemic.
Greenlee County
Greenlee County Health Department reported just one new case over the past seven days.
That brings March’s total number of new cases thus far to just three, 83 percent February at the same time.
Greenlee County has experienced 566 cases and 10 deaths since the start of the pandemic.