Showing Younger, Non-Chronic Medical Condition Patients Dominating Cases
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) updated their website this past Monday to include new data such as the percentage of cases with chronic medical conditions, the number of tests done, and the number of positives in facilities such as long term care centers and rehabs. For some, the new data may come as a surprise. On a statewide level, the majority of positive cases are under the age of 55 and do not have any chronic medical conditions. “These numbers paint a picture that it’s not just the elderly population or those with chronic medical conditions contracting this virus,” Supervisor Buster Johnson stated. “This is a virus that doesn’t seem to discriminate based on age or health. The release of this new data reiterates the point that social distancing measures and staying home when possible is the best way to combat this virus for all age groups,” Johnson continued.
According to data released by ADHS, out of the 5,459 cases in Arizona 71% do not have a chronic medical condition. In Arizona, 3,216 of the cases are under the age of 54 with 2,238 being over the age of 54. When it comes to the 229 individuals who have lost their life due to COVID-19 in Arizona, the majority of them are still over the age of 65. In the age range of 22-44 years old, the State has released that 3% have died. “The numbers are still showing that those over 65 are the most at risk of serious complications and death from COVID-19; however, there are several factors that can play into someone who is young and healthy also developing complications and suffering major complications from the virus,” Johnson stated.
Arizona so far has tested 56,601 residents for COVID-19. That amounts to less than one percent of the population of Arizona. In Mohave County 952 tests have been performed according to the ADHS website. “That is a little under .5% of the County’s population,” Johnson stated. At a recent BOS meeting, Public Health Director Denise Burley stated that a lack of test kits and supplies along with strict guidelines from the State on what criteria qualifies for an individual to get tested is one of the reasons why testing has been so limited in Mohave County. As more test kits become available they are hopefully that more testing can be done. “There is still a lot more we do not know about this virus, and I believe the more testing we can do the more we can get an accurate picture of what is going on in our County,” Johnson stated.
Other data being released by the State Health Department shows that 125 cases in Arizona come from a congregate setting such as a nursing home, long term health care facility and/or the jail population. In Mohave County, 3 of the 64 cases fall into this category. One case is related to a homeless shelter and 2 others are from a long term care facility.
How many cases are in each zip code is also new data the State is reporting. For zip codes without 10 cases or more, the number of cases per zip code are reported as either having 1-5 cases or 6-10. For zip codes with over 10 cases, an actual number is given. In Mohave County, two zip codes meet the criteria. In zip code 86409, 11 cases are being reported and 8401 has 12.
State data is also showing the breakdown of hospitalized cases. Of the 897 reported hospitalizations throughout the state, 5 of them are under the age of 20, 295 are between the ages 20 and 54 and 697 are 55 years or older. As of yesterday 76% of ICU and inpatient hospital beds throughout the state are in use. The state does not break down how much of the hospital bed usage is related to COVID-19 vs. other conditions that may require hospitalization.
As of the writing of this press release, no re-opening plans have been announced by Governor Doug Ducey. Current stay at home orders are set to expire on April 30th. “I believe going forward we will still have to continue to social distance and take precaution until a reliable cure or treatment plan is found or a vaccine is created,” Johnson said. “The guidelines and matrix put out by President Donald Trump and the Whitehouse Coronavirus Task Force last week are guidelines I hope our State follows. I believe President Trump’s plan puts forth a safe re-opening of our State as long as we continue to meet the benchmarks and guidelines,” Johnson ended.
The best precautions anyone can take according to Health officials to combat COVID-19 is:
To keep your Social Distancing – At least 6 Feet apart! Stay at home if at all possible.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick, or if you are a not an essential employee.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
COVID-19 spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Symptoms are thought to appear within two to 14 days after exposure and consist of fever, cough, runny nose, and difficulty breathing. For people with mild illness, individuals are asked to stay home, drink plenty of fluids, and get rest. For people with more severe symptoms, such as shortness of breath, individuals are advised to seek healthcare, using telemedicine where available.
For more information about the COVID-19 response in Arizona, go online to: https://azdhs.gov/
For more detailed information about COVID-19 in Mohave County, please visit https://covid-19-mohave.hub.arcgis.com/.
