Howard Fischer/Capitol Media Services

Gov. Doug Ducey gives an update on COVID-19 in Arizona on July 9, 2020.

COVID-19 is spreading faster in Arizona than anywhere else in the country right now, but Gov. Doug Ducey won’t be issuing a new stay-at-home order. 

In a news conference Thursday, Ducey said he’s heard the criticism about the spread of the virus under his leadership and acknowledged that June was a “brutal” month in Arizona. Confirmed cases of the virus quadrupled from June 1 to July 1. More than 2,000 Arizonans have now died from the virus. 

But Ducey said the virus is widespread and there’s no way to remove risk, only to reduce it.

“We’re going to be dealing with this for some time, so the better way to do this, if possible, is to have public buy-in," Ducey told reporters. 

Ducey said he applauds local leaders who have issued face-mask requirements but did not issue a statewide mask order as Texas, California and other states have done recently.

Ducey announced the state will require restaurants to limit capacity to 50%. He said the state plans to increase testing over the next two months.

The governor also said the state’s Aug. 17 return-to-school date may be “aspirational.”

Arizona Coronavirus Cases, Deaths

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