PHOENIX – The CARES Act, the $ 2.2 trillion federal aid package for Americans affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, included $ 349 billion in loans to U.S. small business owners to maintain payrolls, pay rent and fulfill other obligations.

But these funds are already exhausted. The Federal Small Business Association said 10,898 Arizona small businesses had been approved for payment protection program loans totaling more than $ 3.5 billion.

However, Arizona has 571,000 small businesses and significant help is still needed, Chris Camacho, chairman of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, told 3TV.

Scottsdale Business Owner Brenda Laskoskie is among those who remain unanswered to an important question: when will she receive the loan that could save her business?

Laskoskie told 3TV that she has been running Dei-Zinz, a fresh flower business in Scottsdale, for 35 years.

Laskoskie was dependent on immediate cash relief and requested the loan from his bank the morning it was available.

“They said, ‘Sorry we’re all loaned with our money. All our money is gone, ”she told the station. “It almost seems like some of the smaller businesses are being left out. “

Since April 16, the Arizona Department of Health Services reported 4,234 COVID-19 cases and 150 deaths in the state. He said that 47,398 tests for COVID-19 had been performed as of April 16 in public and private laboratories in Arizona, and that the results were negative in 43,562 cases.

Arizona surpasses 4,000 COVID-19 cases

Arizona crossed the 4000 points for confirmed cases of COVID-19, a milestone 22 states have already passed, KTAR Reports. Every county in Arizona has reported an increase in COVID-19 cases as of April 16, with the exception of La Paz, which has reported five cases two days in a row, The Arizona Republic reported.

Peak medical resource needs are scheduled for April 30

The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluations predicts that Arizona will experience its peak in medical resource needs on April 30, including hospital beds, intensive care beds and ventilators. Figures predict Arizona will need 918 beds on April 30, including 228 intensive care beds and 202 ventilators, and the institute does not predict a shortage of those resources.

What it will take to reopen Arizona

Certain we need criteria for Arizona businesses to reopen their doors, Jessica Rigler, deputy director of the Arizona Department of Health Services said Wednesday.

“We would like to see a continued decrease in the rate of positive cases as well as hospitalizations,” Rigler told KTAR News.

As widespread testing is not available, the state health department does not plan to specific number goal requirement for reopening the economy, Rigler said.

Stimulus checks arrive in Arizona

Federal economic assistance payments are starts to arrive for Arizonans who qualify, Cronkite News reports. The check is $ 1,200, with an additional $ 500 per dependent child, and unemployment benefits are expected to increase by $ 600 per month.

How to help

Local businessmen and doctors have launched a new nonprofit ProtectAZ, with the sole purpose of raising private funds to locate and distribute medical supplies in Arizona at an accelerated pace to fight COVID-19. Visit www.protectAz.org request supplies or donate to the cause.