PHOENIX – Gov. Doug Ducey declared a public health emergency Wednesday afternoon in response to the new coronavirus, hours after health officials announced a ninth case in the state.
The governor said the declaration will allow the state to tap into emergency funding and give health officials additional authority to procure needed medical supplies as Arizona authorities expect additional cases of the virus to emerge.
Ducey also issued an executive order that calls on insurance companies to cover the full cost of testing and on heightened prevention measures at nursing homes.
On Wednesday, the total count of coronavirus cases in Arizona rose to nine. There are currently two confirmed positive and seven others diagnosed as presumptive positive cases.
The article was updated.