SAFFORD — The number of COVID-19 cases in Graham County continues to grow and the result is one school district going back to all distance learning.
Graham County Health Department announced 23 new cases of coronavirus Thursday, with 10 in Safford, nine on the San Carlos Apache Reservation and four in Thatcher.
The younger age groups continue to see the majority of cases, with six of Thursday’s cases in those 20 years old and younger, and 11 in those 20 to 44.
As a result of the increasing number of cases, Fort Thomas Unified School District announced that, as of Thursday, Nov. 5, the schools would conduct classes exclusively online until Nov. 30. Lunch distributions will take place on Mondays and parents can also pick up instruction packets at the same time.
Graham County’s total number of cases is at 1,343, with 447 active and 31 deaths. Graham County’s positivity rate is at 12.4 percent.
There were no new cases in Greenlee County, keeping that county’s total at 106, with 44 active and two deaths.
Greenlee County’s positivity rate is at 12.5 percent.