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Arizona health club complies with order as cases skyrocket

By Staff | Jul 4, 2020

FILE - In this Thursday, July 2, 2020, file photo, Jennifer Sposato, a trainer at Life Time health club, works out as the club remains open even as Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has issued an executive order for all gyms to close due to the surge in coronavirus cases in Phoenix, Ariz. Life Time health club, one of two health club chains in Arizona that had defied a state order to shut down and faced possible legal action said Friday, July 2, 2020, it had closed. Life Time Fitness informed state officials of its decision after getting a letter on Thursday threatening legal action by the state. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

PHOENIX (AP) — One of two health club chains in Arizona that had defied a state order to shut down and faced possible legal action said Friday it had closed.

Life Time Fitness informed state officials of its decision after getting a letter on Thursday threatening legal action by the state.

Mountainside Fitness CEO Tom Hatten said he would keep his chain open and await his day in court.

“We are not the cause of the coronavirus spike. Period,” he said.

The chains previously said they have made changes to protect against the virus, and there’s no evidence of any outbreaks at their gyms in the state.

They say Gov. Doug Ducey is singling out their industry while other businesses that do a poor job at social distancing are allowed to remain open.

The latest figures from Arizona health officials indicate hospitalizations and emergency room visits have reached new peaks in the state — already a virus hotspot.

The officials said intensive care units are operating at an all-time high of 91% of capacity.

The number of people hospitalized on Thursday due to a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19 was 3,013, the Arizona Department of Health Services reported. It’s the first time that figure has surpassed 3,000.

The number of people who went to the ER because of COVID-19 symptoms reached 1,847 — nearly 500 more than a day earlier.

The state on Friday reported 4,433 new cases of the virus and 31 more deaths. Arizona has now reported a total of 91,858 cases and 1,788 deaths.

The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.

For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.

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