PHOENIX – Arizona health officials reported 2,432 new cases of COVID-19 and 29 additional deaths from the disease on Wednesday.
The latest documented totals are 1,055,919 infections and 19,333 fatalities, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services ’COVID-19 board.
COVID-19 hospitalization figures are about four times higher than before the third wave of the state began in early July, and people who are not fully vaccinated account for almost all serious illnesses and deaths.
The number of hospitalized patients confirmed or suspected of COVID-19 in state hospitals was 2,077 on Tuesday, a decrease of 13 from the previous day, but on the 16th consecutive day above 2,000.
The number of ICU beds used by patients with COVID-19 was 564, a decrease of two from the previous day, but the third highest mark of the current wave.
Patients with COVID-19 occupied 32% of the state’s ICU beds as of Tuesday, one point less than the day before, according to the board. At the peak of the January winter hike, 66% of the state’s ICU beds were filled with COVID patients.
The positivity rate of COVID-19 diagnostic tests conducted last week was 12% at Wednesday’s update, an increase of 1 point over the previous week. It also accounts for 12% for completed samples starting this week.
The board also showed that 4,098,440 people (57% of the state’s population, based on 7,189,020 residents) have received at least one dose of vaccine in Arizona and 3,620,622 people are fully vaccinated (50, 4% of the population). Rates nationwide are 63.2% with at least one dose and 54% fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Daily updates from the state health department present case and death data after the state receives statistics and confirms them, which can be delayed several days or more. They do not represent the actual activity during the last 24 hours. Hospitalization numbers published each morning are communicated electronically the night before by hospitals across the state.
Federally authorized free vaccines are widely available and highly effective in preventing COVID-19 disease, including the most contagious delta variant that now accounts for most new cases in the United States.
For details on statewide vaccine availability, the ADHS website has a vaccine search engine page with locations and other information.
For information on the availability of the Phoenix Metro vaccine, Maricopa County Public Health has a location page that includes pharmacies, government-run sites, health clinics, and pop-up distribution events. An appointment may be required depending on the provider.
The minimum age to receive the Pfizer shot is 12 years and is 18 years for the other available versions, Modern and Johnson & Johnson.
COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, has no impact on some people and is severely debilitating or deadly to others. Asymptomatic infected people, which include, among others, cough, fever, and difficulty breathing, are able to spread the virus.
You can find information on where to test for COVID-19 on the ADHS website.