Earlier this month, Maricopa County Public Health announced it changed how it defines long-term care.This reclassification means the total number of coronavirus cases has also changed.
The county now defines a long-term care setting as a nursing home, an assisted living facility, an intermediate care facility and a hospice.
The county is no longer counting cases that come from group homes, shelters and detention facilities.
The reclassification also changed the total numbers of coronavirus cases. As of last week, there were about 1,000 fewer cases, and it also dropped the number of deaths by eight.
A spokesperson for the county said it’s still looking at all congregate settings, but this change in definition allows county officials to hone in on those who are 65 and older.
