Novel Coronavirus in Pima County

Dr. Bob England, interim director of the Pima County Health Department, spoke at the Abrams Public Health Center, 3950 S. Country Club Road, on Monday.

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Information is rolling out about Pima County's seven known positive COVID-19 patients, all of whom are over the age of 50.

Pima County Health Department officials say no link has been identified between the patients, which includes a man in his 80s who has recovered.

Other patients include:

  • A woman in her 50s who is hospitalized;
  • A man in his 50s who is isolating and not hospitalized;
  • A man in his 50s who is hospitalized;
  • A man in his 70s who is hospitalized;
  • A man in his 60s who is hospitalized.

Initially, when there were fewer patients, less information was offered because it might have been easier for some members of the public to identify the person, said health department spokesman Aaron Pacheco.

“We want people to have information that is actionable while also having an obligation to protect privacy,” he said. “With more than a couple of cases now, we’re trying to share more as much as we can.”

If the number of cases continue to rise, Pacheco said the department will likely release information in categories such as the number hospitalized, the number of recovered patients and the age ranges.

For every case identified in Pima County, the Health Department does an investigation to identify close contacts and exposure risks during the time the individual was contagious. It also recommends that household contacts remain at home and monitor themselves for symptoms for 14 days.

Additionally, the department works with the healthcare providers, state public health and the patient to ensure the health and safety of the public.

The total number of cases statewide as of Thursday afternoon was 44, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services website.

For updated case counts and more information about COVID-19, visit pima.gov/COVID19. For general questions, Tucson residents can also call 1-844-542-8201.


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Contact reporter Patty Machelor at 806-7754 or pmachelor@tucson.com