The number of presumed and confirmed positive new coronavirus cases in Arizona remained at nine Thursday, but results of 24 cases were pending.

The state began doing its own testing for the novel virus 11 days ago. A total of 115 people have been tested and 82 tests have come back negative.

The nine cases include five people from one household in Pinal County; three Maricopa County residents and one person in Pima County. Three people have been hospitalized, one person is fully recovered and out of isolation and the others are recovering at home.

Arizona public health officials are focusing on testing people who have traveled to an affected area, who have had known contact with an infected person, and who are severely ill with a respiratory infection of no other known cause.

Right now, the ability of the state to test people for new coronavirus is limited.

CORONAVIRUS IN ARIZONA:Where the virus is now, symptoms, travel restrictions

"If you do not have symptoms of COVID-19 right now, you do not need to be tested," Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ said Wednesday during a press conference about new coronavirus in Arizona.

"For those that might have symptoms and feel that they are at risk for contracting COVID-19 we urge you to see your personal care provider or urgent care."

Public health officials are encouraging Arizonans to use telemedicine if they have symptoms, so that they do not risk spreading disease to others in health care waiting rooms.

Christ added that two additional diagnostic laboratories are starting to do testing, and that the capacity to test people should increase in the coming days.

A COVID-19 information hotline has been set up at 1-844-542-8201 for people with questions about the novel virus, including where testing is available.

Reach health care reporter Stephanie Innes at Stephanie.Innes@gannett.com or at 602-444-8369. Follow her on Twitter @stephanieinnes

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