SAFFORD — January came to a close as the month with the most new coronavirus cases in the Gila Valley.
On Monday, Graham County Health Department reported 282 new cases of COVID-19 over the previous four days, bringing January’s total to 2,202, 26 percent more new cases than the month with the previous high, January 2021 with 1,889.
The total number of cases experienced in Graham County since the start of the pandemic is now at 11,112, more than double the amount of cases at the same time last year, when the vaccine was not widely available to all age groups.
The Health Department also reported active cases are up to 2,153 and there was another coronavirus-related death. That brings January’s death toll to eight and a total of 164 Graham County residents have died from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic.
Arizona Department of Health Services’ Covid dashboard reflected an adjustment down in the number of Graham County residents that have been fully vaccinated, reducing from 57.9 percent on Jan. 28 to 49.6 percent as of Feb. 1.
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.
