SAFFORD – The holiday weekend saw a significant increase in the number of new coronavirus cases in the Gila Valley.
Graham County Health Department reported 206 new cases between Christmas Eve and Monday, with Thursday and Friday particularly heavy at 68 and 59 cases, respectively.
That brings the total number of new cases in Graham County in December to 918, just four behind November at the same time.
There was also a coronavirus-related death over the weekend, a Safford resident over the age of 65. That brings the total number of deaths in December to 13, tying August for the most coronavirus-related deaths in a month.
The total number of cases in Graham County since the start of the pandemic is up to 3,137, with 1,006 considered active. There have been a total of 48 deaths.
Greenlee County
Greenlee County also saw a significant increase in the number of new cases.
Greenlee County Health Department reported 19 new cases between Wednesday, Dec. 23, and Sunday, Dec. 27, with the most – eight – on Wednesday.
That brings Greenlee County’s total number of new cases in December to 142.
Since the start of the pandemic, Greenlee County has experienced 388 cases, with 157 considered active and three deaths.
