Arizona Adds 3,500 Coronavirus Cases, Sets New Single-Day Record

ARIZONA — Arizona's surge in coronavirus cases has once again set a new record-high, as health officials reported an additional 3,426 confirmed cases Friday morning. The number of new cases, which blows away the previous record set on Tuesday, includes more than 2,000 confirmed cases in Maricopa County alone.

"These are startling #COVID numbers," Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego tweeted in response to the latest data. "Every single new case represents a family suffering in our state."

Gallego also noted that the Phoenix City Council is considering an ordinance mandating the wearing of masks, a measure that the leaders of some Arizona cities are embracing while others say they will not force their citizens to wear masks. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has resisted ordering a statewide measure to enforce the wearing of masks.

The Phoenix City Council is meeting Friday to vote on a mandatory mask ordinance. As of Friday, Arizona has recorded a total of 46,689 lab-confirmed coronavirus cases; an additional 41 deaths reported Friday brings the total number of fatalities to 1,312.

Earlier this week, more than 700 health providers sent Ducey a letter urging him to require that people wear masks in public spaces. On Wednesday, Ducey said he recommended that "all Arizonans wear face masks when you can't social distance" and has repeatedly promoted the #MaskUpAZ campaign through his social media accounts.