SAFFORD — January 2022 is rapidly closing in on the unfortunate distinction of being the worst month for COVID-19 in the Gila Valley.
On Monday, the Graham County Health Department reported another 138 new cases over the previous two days, bringing January’s total thus far to 1,601. That’s the second greatest number of new cases in a single month since January 2021, when 1,889 new cases were reported.
Graham County has seen 10,511 cases of coronavirus since the start of the pandemic, which equates to 27 percent of the county’s population.
The Health Department also reported another coronavirus-related death, bringing January’s total to six and the total dead due to COVID-19 in Graham County since the start of the pandemic to 162.
Arizona Department of Health Services reports 57.6 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 1-5 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
