PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Wednesday warned that coronavirus cases are increasing at an alarming rate but stopped short of implementing any major virus prevention restrictions or imposing a statewide mask mandate — despite pressure from Democratic state and local officials.

“I want people to wear masks. Masks work,” Ducey said, adding that 90% of the state already has mask mandates imposed by county and local officials.

Ducey said the state health department will issue an emergency order for schools to require masks on campuses and buses.

“What I want to avoid is some of the division and politics that have happened around this issue,” said Ducey, a Republican. “To me, the pinnacle is participation and cooperation, and from what I've seen and from what I've heard is we're having lot of that in the state of Arizona. That's what I want to continue.”

The state Department of Health Services on Wednesday tallied 3,206 newly confirmed virus cases and 53 more deaths. Arizona now has had 283,102 cases and the state's COVID-19 death toll stands at 6,365.

According to the state's COVID-19 dashboard, the number of hospitalizations is now on par to where it was amid a June virus surge, with 1,700 patients. Those hospitalized now include nearly 400 people in intensive care unit beds.

State health director Dr. Cara Christ said that the positivity rate for cases in all but two Arizona counties was above 10%, raising serious concerns.

Ducey said Christ will issue the emergency order to ensure masks are worn in schools and on school buses. Ducey said he wants schools to stay open because it's the best thing for children.

“Despite the best efforts of teachers and parents, no one can argue, kids have already missed out on far too much learning due to this pandemic,” Ducey said.

He also said the state would start providing COVID-19 tests at the main Arizona airports in Phoenix, Mesa and Tucson.

The state had approximately 3,500 hospitalizations on a daily basis in mid-July during the peak of last summer’s surge but fewer than 500 some days in late September before the latest rise started.

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.

Health officials have said the state’s recent surge is tied to factors including businesses and schools reopening and public fatigue with precautions such as mask-wearing.

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Associated Press writer Astrid Galvan in Phoenix contributed to this report.

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