The COVID-19 pandemic has affected millions of people around the globe. As states around the country grapple to contain the coronavirus, governors have enforced stay-at-home orders to slow the spread of the contact-to-contact virus causing many to adapt quickly to a quarantine lifestyle.
Around the world, businesses, schools and public spaces have closed until further notice and are adapting to an online-environment. Due to the closure of many of these businesses, many people have been laid off or had hours reduced causing the number of people applying for unemployment benefits to skyrocket.
Within a few months, the virus went from being considered a “low risk” to “increasing with some areas of heightened risk.” Out of all 15 counties in Arizona, Maricopa has the highest number of cases at 1,326 confirmed as of Sunday evening, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
The first case of the coronavirus confirmed in Arizona was reported on Jan. 26, where a member of Arizona State University tested positive after traveling to Wuhan, China, where the virus originated.
Nearly two months later, health officials reported the first coronavirus related death of a man in his 50s with underlying health conditions on March 20.
Since then there have been 2,269 confirmed cases of the virus and 64 people have died as of Sunday evening, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Last Monday, Gov. Doug Ducey issued a stay-at-home order to slow the spread of COVID-19. The initiative went into effect on March 31 and will run through the end of April.
Downtown Devil is putting together a story focusing on how this global pandemic is affecting the downtown Phoenix community. We want to hear how COVID-19 has affected you within these past few months.
Please feel out this form and include a photo of yourself that will be included in the story. We will accept submissions until April 30.
Contact the reporter at Jpbeltra@asu.edu.
