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U.S. & World

Arizona saw a 75% drop in COVID-19 cases after mask mandate, closures

A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a new study out about Arizona.

By Herb Scribner Herb Scribnerhscribner@deseretnews.com
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In this June 27, 2020 file photo, medical personnel prepare to test hundreds of people lined up in vehicles in Phoenix’s western neighborhood of Maryvale for free COVID-19 tests organized by Equality Health Foundation, which focuses on care in underserved communities.

In this June 27, 2020 file photo, medical personnel prepare to test hundreds of people lined up in vehicles in Phoenix’s western neighborhood of Maryvale for free COVID-19 tests organized by Equality Health Foundation, which focuses on care in underserved communities.

AP

Arizona saw a 75% drop in new coronavirus cases after the state added local mask mandates, restrictions on public events and closures of bars, gyms, movie theaters and restaurants in the middle of June, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

  • The measures were added in mid-June.
  • The state saw a 75% drop less than two months later on Aug. 7.
  • “The primary goal of implementing widespread enhanced mitigation measures in Arizona was to protect and save lives and maintain capacity in the health care system,” CDC researchers wrote. “A combination of voluntary and enforceable measures is more effective than any single measure.
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By the numbers:

  • From June 1 to June 15, Arizona had a 151% increase in cases from 808 to 2,026, UPI reports.
  • The state had 4,160 cases on July 12.
  • But — about two months after the mandates — Arizona had case numbers back at around 867.
  • “The number of COVID-19 cases stabilized and began to decrease approximately two weeks after local officials began mandating mask wearing,” the CDC researchers wrote.
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The takeaway:

  • The CDC said: “Widespread implementation and enforcement of sustained community mitigation measures, including mask wearing, informed by state and local officials’ continual data monitoring and collaboration can help prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and decrease the numbers of COVID-19 cases.”