Arizona reports 681 new COVID-19 cases, 3 more known deaths

For the third consecutive day, Arizona health officials are reporting a large number of additional COVID-19 cases that has pushed the state’s total to nearly 20,000.

The state Department of Health Services reported 681 additional cases with three additional known deaths as of Sunday, increasing the total number of cases statewide to 19,936 and the total number of deaths to 906.

The department had reported 702 additional coronavirus cases and 28 additional deaths Friday with 790 cases with 18 more deaths reported Saturday.

The increases are being reported in the wake of increased testing and of Gov. Doug Ducey’s lifting of some lockdown orders that closed many businesses and other establishments.