Coronavirus cases in Arizona continue to rise, with 401 identified cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, reported by the state on Wednesday.

La Paz County reported two positive cases late Wednesday, which were the first cases to be identified in the county. The two cases did not appear to be reflected in the state's data late Wednesday.

A press release from the La Paz County Health Department said the two individuals who tested positive were not hospitalized and were recovering at home. The department said it would not disclose their age or gender but said "they were both tested due to exposure of positive COVID-19 cases in other states."

Other tests in La Paz County were completed and pending, the press release said. The county declared an emergency on March 18 in response to the new cornavirus pandemic, according to the press release.

Mohave County also reported its first identified case on Wednesday, which means both counties would start restricting businesses because of Gov. Doug Ducey's executive order.

Also, Maricopa County reported it now has two cases in people under age 18.

Identified cases have increased 23% since Tuesday morning's numbers update from the state. The percentage increase was lower Wednesday than it was on Monday and Tuesday.

At least 6 known deaths

On Tuesday, there were at least 326 identified cases and five known deaths reported by the state in its morning numbers update. The state's database now reflects the sixth death, which was announced by Coconino County late Tuesday.

Three known deaths have occurred in Maricopa County, according to county data, as well as one in Pima County and one in Coconino County. It is unclear in which county one of the deaths happened. Coconino County's first known death related to COVID-19 was announced on Tuesday.

A second person died in Coconino County on Wednesday related to the coronavirus, an official told The Arizona Republic on Wednesday evening. State officials did not immediately confirm if that death is among the six known deaths or if it raises the number in the state to seven.

County spokesperson Matthew Rudig declined to provide the person's age or gender. He said the county was currently compiling and updating its number of recently identified coronavirus cases and did not immediately know the county's new total.

It appears the county's recently identified cases, including its second new coronavirus-related death, were not reflected in the state's online data late Wednesday afternoon.

Doctor tests positive

A physician at Phoenix Children’s Hospital tested positive for COVID-19, the hospital announced Wednesday morning. The doctor worked at one of the hospital’s ambulatory clinics. They had treated one patient on Friday and did not examine any other patients in person last week, the hospital said. They were not symptomatic while working on Friday and followed best practices for infection control.

“Per guidance from the CDC, Maricopa County Department of Health and our precautionary measures exercised in the clinic, exposure is unlikely,” the hospital said in a statement.

Still, the hospital notified the family and staff members who had been in contact with the physician.

While off-duty on Friday evening, the doctor started showing symptoms, and the test came back positive. The doctor is now isolating and recovering at home. They are believed to have been exposed to the virus in a community setting, the hospital said.

No other doctors or staff members have developed symptoms, the hospital said.

“We will continue to do our best to safeguard patients’ health, curb the spread of the virus and support our clinicians who are providing the best possible care in the most challenging of circumstances,” the hospital said.

Numbers likely higher than official counts

The number of cases is likely much higher than official numbers suggest. People have reported trouble getting tested, as health professionals confront confusion over who to test and a lack of supplies.

The state health department's publicly reported numbers only provide positive test results from private labs, not the total number of people tested, leaving the online data incomplete.

The entry of private labs into testing appears to be helping the state identify cases, as the majority of reported positive cases are coming from private labs. Of the 401 identified cases reported Wednesday morning, 357 were reported by private labs while 44 came from the state lab.

On Tuesday, cases were reported in several areas that weren't previously publicly reported. The Gila River Indian Community announced two positive cases of COVID-19 from patients who visited a Gila River Health Care facility on Tuesday. Arizona State University said it has 15 students who have tested positive, while three members of the University of Arizona community had positive tests.

Numbers increase in several counties

A majority of Arizona's identified cases were in Maricopa County, with a total of 251 Wednesday, according to data on the state health department's website.

The Maricopa County Department of Public Health provides additional details about its cases, including:

The majority of identified cases are males, at 55%.

There are now two identified cases in people under age 18.

The largest age group represented in identified cases is those aged 18 to 39, at 38%.

People aged 40 to 59 represent 33% of cases, while those over age 60 represent 28%.

Of the 251 cases, 35, or 14%, are hospitalized.

Thirteen are in the intensive care unit.

Three have died.

Sometimes, counties are reporting additional cases ahead of when they appear in the state's overall numbers.

Pima County had identified 49 cases, Navajo County had 37 cases, Pinal County had 23 and Coconino County had 23, according to state data updated Wednesday. Apache County had seven cases and Yavapai County had four cases. Yuma County had three on the state's website, while the county's website says it now has four cases. Graham County had two. Cochise and Santa Cruz counties each had one case included in the Wednesday state data update, but reported one more case each.

Cochise County confirmed a second identified case late Wednesday morning. The county said in a news release that the county’s health department received word of the positive test, which was confirmed on March 20, on Wednesday morning.

The person is an adult female who just returned from overseas travel, the county said. She is isolating and recovering at home. An investigation into her contacts has been completed, and there is no threat to the community, the county said. Cochise County’s other positive case also was travel-related.

“It’s important to note that both confirmed cases are related to domestic and overseas travel, but neither case is connected,” county Health Director Carrie Langley said in a written statement. “We want to remind the public that they should adhere to current travel advice from the CDC. Anyone who has recently returned from a trip should self-quarantine for 14 days, self-monitor for symptoms and social distance.”

Santa Cruz County also said it has a second identified case, but did not provide further details.

An update on the county's website said it has received notification of a second positive, bringing the total cases to two.

No cases had been identified in Greenlee and Gila counties as of Wednesday evening.

Mohave County announced its first identified positive case in the Lake Havasu City area, the county announced Tuesday. State numbers do not currently reflect the case.

The announcement also means the county will follow Gov. Doug Ducey's order on limited service at restaurants, and close bars, gyms and theaters. A news release from the county on Wednesday instructs these businesses to immediately close to the public or, in the case of restaurants, limit their services to pickup, delivery and drive-thru services.

The person is an adult, is not hospitalized and is recovering at home, the county said. The Mohave County Department of Public Health said it could not be more specific about the person’s gender or age.

Close contacts of the person will be interviewed, and the county is recommending that each person monitor for symptoms and quarantine for 14 days.

“With new cases increasing daily around the country and throughout Arizona, it is not surprising to see our first case here in Mohave County,” said Denise Burley, the county health department’s director.

Later on Wednesday, during a press conference, Mohave County officials said that there are two confirmed cases of coronavirus in the county, but, citing “privacy rights of those individuals,” did not share ages of the individuals or if they had underlying health concerns.

Burley estimated there are between 70 and 100 pending test results still in the county.

Cases increase on the Navajo Nation

On Wednesday evening, the Navajo Nation announced the number of COVID-19 cases has reached 69, an increase of 20 cases from Tuesday.

There are no confirmed deaths from COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation, according to the Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President.

The cases include 43 in Navajo County, eight in Apache County, six in Coconino County in Arizona, and four in McKinley County, seven in San Juan County, and one in Cibola County in New Mexico.

“Unfortunately, the numbers are going to continue to rise until everyone begins to comply with the Stay at Home Order," Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a press release. "We have to isolate ourselves to isolate the virus. Let’s do it for our elders, our children, and our high-risk individuals."

The "stay at home" order issued by Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez remains in effect. This requires residents on the Navajo Nation to stay home and eliminates nonessential travel.

Residents of the Navajo Nation can also now sign up for emergency alerts issued by the Navajo Department of Emergency Management. An alert was issued on Monday urging all Navajo residents to stay home, the press release states. To sign up for the emergency alerts, text "Navajo Nation" to 888777 or register online at www.nnalert.com.

Republic reporters Shondiin Silversmith and Chelsea Curtis contributed to this article.

Reach reporter Rachel Leingang by email at rachel.leingang@gannett.com or by phone at 602-444-8157, or find her on Twitter and Facebook.

Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.