Update for week of April 21 to April 26, 2020, covering COVID-19 News Releases and Executive Orders from the Office of the Governor Doug Ducey and Arizona COVID-19 Statistics.

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey announced on Tuesday Pandemic School Meal Replacement Benefits are now available for almost 600,000 eligible school children. 

Eligible school children include those receiving free or reduced priced school meals in Arizona.

In his second news release on Monday, Governor Ducey announced donations of much-needed supplies from Intel, Covetrus, and Iris USA Inc. for first responders. 

On Wednesday, Governor Ducey announced Swire Coca-Cola donated 30,000 liters of Dasani Water and two pallets of Coca-Cola drinks to the Navajo Nation. Swire Coca-Cola and the Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs organized the delivery to the Navajo Nation.

Also announced on Wednesday, Governor Ducey issued Excutive Order 2020-32 with new guidelines on elective surgeries. 

Elective surgeries at dental offices, hospitals and other health facilities may resume on May 1 if the new guidelines are met. The guidelines were established to protect health care worker and patients.

The Arizona Department of Health Services (AZDHS) COVID-19 Statistics for Arizona Confirmed Cases and Deaths on April 26:

• Number of Cases 6,526  (was 5,064 on April 20)
• Number of Deaths 275  (was 187 on April 20)
• Cases by Gender – 47% Male – 53% Female
• Deaths by Gender – 58% Male – 42% Female

• Maricopa County 3,359 cases and 122 deaths (was 2,636 cases and 75 deaths on April 20)
• Pima County 1,136 cases and 76 deaths (was 941 cases and 58 deaths on April 20)
• Navajo County 625 cases and 18 deaths (was 473 cases and 11 deaths on April 20)
• Coconino County 420 cases and 38 deaths
• Pinal County 342 cases and 9 deaths
• Apache County 336 cases and 5 deaths
• Mohave County 88 cases and 4 deaths
• Yavapai County 76 cases and less than 3 deaths
• Yuma County 51 cases and less than 3 deaths
• Cochise County 36 cases and 0 deaths
• Santa Cruz County 30 cases and 0 deaths
• Gila County 11 cases and 0 deaths
• La Paz County 7 cases and less than 3 deaths
• Graham County 7 cases and 0 deaths
• Greenlee County 2 cases and 0 deaths

The AZDHS COVID-19 Confirmed Cases and Deaths by Age Group:

• Less than 20 years 296 cases and 0 deaths
• 20 – 44 years 2,411 cases and 9 deaths
• 45-54 years 1,147 cases and 18 deaths
• 55 – 64 years 1,056 cases and 40 deaths
• 65 years and older 1,613 cases and 208 deaths
• Unknown 3 cases and 0 deaths 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 recommendations to protect yourself and others:

• Use a cloth face covering.
• Clean your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  Use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol when soap and water are not available.
• Avoid close contact with people who are ill.
• Stay home as much as possible.
• Maintain at least a six foot distance from people.
• Stay home if you are ill.
• Use a tissue or the inside of your elbow to cover coughs and sneezes. Discard tissues and immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Clean and disinfect daily all surfaces that are touched frequently.