COVID-19 ZIP Code Data Updated: Cases At 4,719, With 177 Deaths

PHOENIX – The Arizona Department of Health Services reported 4,719 cases of COVID-19 in Arizona and 177 deaths as of Saturday, April 18. The Department also updated the ZIP code positive test count data.

Upon the release of statistics, a Republican Arizona representative tweeted: “Those same state health officials need to start reporting on any increases in collateral effects like suicides, overdose deaths & effects of Alcohol as well. We have ensure those numbers don’t outweigh the numbers of Covid.”

According to a report by Reuters, “A surge of unemployment in 1982 cut the life spans of Americans by a collective two to three million years, researchers found. During the last recession, from 2007-2009, the bleak job market helped spike suicide rates in the United States and Europe, claiming the lives of 10,000 more people than prior to the downturn.”

Arizona recorded 95,382 new unemployment claims last week, down from 132,382 the week before, according to preliminary numbers from the Arizona Department of Economic Security, according to Cronkite News.  The Labor Department said claims nationwide fell to 5.2 million last week from the previous 6.6 million.

RELATED ARTICLE: State, U.S. Jobless Claims Dip Slightly, But Still ‘Shockingly High’

A petition campaign launched by the hosts of KFYI’s Russell & Hunter show calling for an end to Governor Doug Ducey’s stay-at-home order has already garnered over 2,500 signatures.

RELATED ARTICLE: Russell And Hunter “Reopen Arizona Businesses” Petition Taking Off

While young families and small businesses are bearing the economic burden of the stay-at-home order, the senior population is taking the greatest hit to their health. For example, according to the Arizona Republic, “Pima County authorities had reported 51 deaths from the new coronavirus as of Friday.  A large share of the dead appear to have been residents” of the Sapphire nursing home in south Tucson. The Sapphire nursing home is located in the 85714 ZIP code area, which has one of the highest case counts in the state.

According to the CDC, the vast majority of COVID-19 related deaths occur in people who have underlying health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

Researchers have adjusted the modeling and now believe that Arizona reached its peak of COVID-19 health crisis on April 5. Earlier they had projected the peak to occur on April 23 or later on April 30.