Arizona state officials on Saturday confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in Yuma County.
---
In a press conference Friday, local officials announced the first “presumptive positive” case of COVID-19 in Yuma County. The case lab tested positive and further testing is underway seeking final confirmation.
The presumptive positive case is a Marine stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station Yuma. At this morning’s press conference MCAS Yuma Commanding Officer David Suggs had details.
"The individual is a local marine," Col. Suggs said. "He is not affiliated with WTI (Weapons and Tactics Instructor course) but he was traveling. So the individual presented on the 13th, he was immediately put into a restricted movement status. His test went out on the, around the 16th I believe and his test came back yesterday."
Col. Suggs says another 156 Marines are currently isolated and monitored by physicians in the same restricted movement status due to travel to what he called “high risk areas,” including California, Nevada and the Phoenix area.
During the press conference, Yuma County Supervisor Board Chairman Tony Reyes and Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls urged calm, saying local officials have been preparing for this. They stated Yuma County is still at minimal risk for COVID-19, but that all residents must take the precautions that have been outlined in recent days to prevent exposure to yourself and others.
---
By Brandon Mejia/KAWC
The first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in Yuma was reported Friday morning according to Tony Reyes, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in Yuma County.
Presumptive positive means it has to be confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control.
City officials said it is a marine from Marine Corps Air Station Yuma.
There were 11 suspected marines, all of whom were tested for COVID-19, according to Colonel David Suggs, with MCAS Yuma. One has tested positive and the others are being monitored and isolated, Col. Suggs said.
During a joint press conference with city officials and military leaders, Yuma Mayor Doug Nicholls announced he is signing executive action to close all bars, restaurants, and gyms throughout Yuma.
---
KAWC reporter Victor Calderón contributed to this report.
