Arizona death toll from virus reaches 450; cases near 10,000

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona health officials report that the number of deaths from the coronavirus outbreak reached 450 as of Thursday as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases statewide neared 10,000 .

The Department of Health Services reported 24 additional deaths as of Thursday and 238 additional COVID-19 cases, increasing the total number of cases to 9,945 as of Thursday.

The department also reported nearly 7,500 additional test results as of Thursday, up from the nearly 5,150 reported Wednesday and about double the numbers reported on recent previous days.

The state conducted a testing push in Maricopa County last weekend.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has begun loosening restrictions he'd imposed to slow the spread of the virus. Salons and barber shops can reopen Friday and restaurants can resume dine-in service on Monday.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.

The Havasupai Tribe in has no reported cases. It announced this week that tourism is suspended indefinitely to prevent the virus from reaching the reservation deep in a gorge off the Grand Canyon. The reservation is known for its towering blue-green waterfalls.