SAFFORD — The Gila Valley experienced two more coronavirus-related deaths Tuesday, with, for the first time, a victim under the age of 45.
Graham County Health Department reported that the person between the ages of 20 and 44 was a Safford resident. The other victim was a Pima resident over the age of 65.
Of the 53 deaths experienced in Graham County since the start of the pandemic, 45 have involved people over the age of 65. Four have involved person 55-64, three have involved persons 45-54 and one 20-44.
Graham County’s COVID-19 mortality rate is 1.5 percent; however, the mortality rate for those 65 and older who test positive is 10.4 percent.
The Health Department also reported 24 new cases Tuesday, with 18 in the Safford area, three in Thatcher, two in Pima and one on the San Carlos Apache Reservation.
That brings the total number of new cases in January thus far to 268, 144 more cases than December at the same time.
Graham County’s total is at 3,496, with 1,147 of the cases considered active.
Greenlee County
Greenlee County Health Department reported seven new cases Monday evening.
That brings the total number of new cases in the month of January thus far to 16, significantly below the 47 new cases Greenlee County experienced to start December at the same time.
Greenlee County’s total is at 431, with 140 cases considered active. There have been three deaths.
