Arizona sees nearly 500 new coronavirus cases in one day

Death toll climbs to nearly 500

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Arizona health officials confirmed another 498 cases of coronavirus Thursday morning, bringing the statewide total to 12,674.

The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) also reported another 30 deaths from the illness, raising the statewide death toll from the illness to 624.

This is not the largest spike in cases, or deaths, the state has seen since the start of the pandemic. Last Friday, ADHS confirmed 581 new cases, and 67 additional deaths.

[Related Story: Arizona Coronavirus Cases]

Health officials say people 65 and older comprise most of the state's coronavirus casualties. 497 victims were from that age group.

That's quite different from Yuma County. Right now Yuma County District Health (YCDH) says patients between 20 and 44-years-old make up 40% of its cases. Only 14% of local cases involve senior citizens.

The latest surge in cases comes just days after Governor Doug Ducey announced he will allow his stay-at-home order to expire Friday.

[Related Story: WATCH NOW: Arizona Governor announces end of stay-at-home order]