SAFFORD — The number of new coronavirus cases in the Gila Valley remains high.
That’s according to the Graham County Health Department, which reported Monday another 235 new cases over the previous four days. That brings the month’s total through Feb. 7 to 468.
There have been 2,670 new cases reported since Jan. 1, for a daily average 70.26 new cases per day in Graham County through Feb. 7, 2022. Through Feb. 7, 2021, Graham County averaged 50.79 new cases per day, making the current daily average of cases 28 percent greater than the same time last year.
The Health Department also reported a coronavirus-related death, the first so far this month. There have been nine deaths so far in 2022.
That brings the total dead in Graham County due to COVID-19 to 165 since the start of the pandemic, for a 1.42-percent mortality rate.
Arizona Department of Health Services reports 49.8 percent of Graham county’s population has been vaccinated for coronavirus. Graham County Health Department is providing free vaccines to anyone 5-years-old and older, and free boosters to anyone 12 and older. To schedule an appointment for the free vaccine or booster, go to Activities • Graham County, AZ • CivicEngage.
Mt. Graham Regional Medical Center, in partnership with the United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties, is offering free drive-up COVID-19 testing at the hospital’s Copper Mountain Clinic. Free drive-up testing takes place Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
