Coronavirus, COVID 19

A nurse at a drive up COVID-19 coronavirus testing station, set up by the University of Washington Medical Center, holds a bag containing a swab used to take a sample from the nose of a person in their car, Friday, March 13, 2020, in Seattle.

 Ted S. Warren / Associated Press

Confirmed coronavirus cases in Arizona topped 17,200 on Wednesday, according to new state figures.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases across Arizona is 17,262, the Arizona Department of Health Services said Wednesday in its daily tally. The total number includes people who have recovered.

The state said 831 people in Arizona have died from COVID-19. There were 24 deaths reported today.

Across Pima County, 2,119 cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed, up 44 cases from the day before.

Among the 2,119 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pima County:

• 604 people ages 65 and older;

• 305 people between 55 and 64 years old;

• 366 people between 45 and 54 years old;

• 739 people between 20 and 44 years old;

• 104 people 19 years old and younger.

No age was available for one coronavirus patient in the county.

There have been 175 known COVID-19 deaths in the Tucson-metro area, according to the state health department. Two new deaths were reported in Pima County today. 

There have been 279,550 coronavirus tests given across Arizona, with 5.5% of them showing positive for COVID-19, the state says.

The 831 confirmed COVID-19 deaths in Arizona include:

• 651 people 65 years old and older;

• 99 people between 55 and 64 years old;

• 43 people between 45 and 54 years old;

• 36 people between 20 and 44 years old.

• 2 people under the age of 20

The statewide number of known COVID-19 cases, 17,262, is an increase of 479 cases from Tuesday's count, the state said.

The coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, for most people. For some people who contract the virus, especially those who are older or have underlying health conditions, it can cause more severe illness and death. The vast majority of people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 recover.

"We're tough as saguaros," editorial cartoonist David Fitzsimmons says. He says he saw a video made for the people of Detroit and became inspired to do his own take for Tucson.

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