Key metrics for tracking the spread of the coronavirus in Arizona continue to trend in the right direction, Gov. Doug Ducey said Thursday.
Daily reports of new COVID-19 cases and the number of patients hospitalized for the virus continues to decline.
Ducey urged Arizonans to stay vigilant during the pandemic and made no mention of reopening businesses he’s ordered closed to help reduce large gatherings.
“This is not a celebration,” he said. "If anything it's evidence that the decisions and the sacrifices that Arizonans are making are working.”
The governor had no new updates on schools, which are awaiting guidance from the state health department on when and how to safely reopen classrooms to students.
Ducey vowed that guidance is coming by Aug. 7.
As for Arizonans who’ve lost work during the pandemic, Ducey shifted responsibility to Congress for providing supplemental benefits that help cover their expenses.
The federal CARES Act has provided an additional $600 in weekly benefits to the unemployed. That supplements the $240 Arizona provides at the state level, an amount that’s the second lowest in the nation.
“I want to just say as clearly as I can that Congress needs to act. This is on Congress,” Ducey said.
Ducey was asked repeatedly what he’s willing to do as governor to supplement Arizona’s low unemployment benefits if Congress fails to act, and if $240 is enough to cover expenses during the pandemic.
He again pointed to Washington.
“As we transition through this, it will require further cooperation with Congress,” Ducey said. “I don’t have anything else to add right now.
