(Photo AP / Alberto Pezzali)
This is a periodically updated story with the latest information on coronavirus and its impact in Arizona and beyond December 15, 2020.
PHOENIX – Arizona health officials on Tuesday reported 4,134 new cases of coronavirus, an additional 64 deaths and another record number of hospitalizations for COVID-19.
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, the state’s documented totals increased to 424,382 COVID-19 infections and 7,422 fatalities.
In general, several COVID-19 metrics in Arizona are or are approaching the highest they have ever been.
The number of patients hospitalized at COVID-19 Hospital confirmed or suspected in Arizona was up to 3,702 on Monday, the fourth consecutive day of registration.
The number of confirmed or suspected Arizona COVID-19 patients in ICU beds was 863 on Monday, most since July 21 and 107 below the 970 record on July 13.
Statewide, 43% of all hospital beds and 49% of all ICU beds were filled on Monday with patients suspected or confirmed of COVID-19, rates that have steadily risen for about two months. .
Overall, hospital beds were filled 90% and ICU beds filled 91%, relatively stable rates because hospitals admit fewer non-COVID patients.
Arizona’s weekly positivity test for diagnostic tests for COVID-19, an indicator of how many viruses are spreading in the community, shows signs of leveling after reaching its highest level in five months .
According to Tuesday’s report, last week’s positivity rate was 18%, the same as the previous week.
The positivity rate peaked at 21% in late June and dropped to 4% in early October.
Official positivity rates are based on when samples are taken, not when they are reported, so the percentage in recent weeks may fluctuate as labs catch up on testing. and the state documents the results.
The seven-day average of recently reported health department cases was 7,772.14 on Monday, according to The Associated Press, more than double the July peak of the first wave.
The average of seven days of recently reported deaths has kept pace with cases, but is rising this month. It was at 58.29 on Monday, more than double from December 1 to the highest level since August 12. The weekly average death toll peaked on July 94 on July 30.
Daily reports from the Arizona Department of Health present case, death, and evidence data after the state receives and confirms statistics, which can take several days or more. They do not represent the actual activity during the last 24 hours.
Hospitalization data released each morning is communicated electronically the night before by 100 hospitals across the state, as required by executive order.
COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, has no impact on some people and is severely debilitating or deadly to others. Asymptomatic infected people, which include, among other things, cough, fever, and difficulty breathing, are able to spread the virus.
Information about test sites can be found on the Arizona Department of Health Services website.
The following are the latest developments in the coronavirus pandemic across the state, the country and the world:
- Hundreds of U.S. hospitals are more prepared to vaccinate their workers, as federal regulators issued a positive review of a second COVID-19 vaccine needed to boost the country’s largest vaccination campaign.
- Globally, there were about 73.01 million cases of COVID-19 and 1.62 million deaths as of Tuesday morning, according to research from Johns Hopkins University. U.S. figures were about 16.52 million cases and 300,000 dead.