Workers at Roseland Community Hospital are unpacking a supply of supplies that the hospital will use to distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to its workers once they receive the first doses on December 16, 2020 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson / Getty Images)
This is a periodically updated story with the latest information on coronavirus and its impact in Arizona and beyond December 17, 2020.
PHOENIX – Arizona health officials reported 5,817 new coronavirus cases and an additional 147 deaths on Thursday, while hospitalizations for COVID-19 reached a new high and vaccine deployment increased.
The new death report listed the second highest single-day update of the pandemic. It was also the first time the state reported more than 100 coronavirus deaths on consecutive days, after the 108th on Wednesday.
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, the state’s documented totals increased to 435,036 COVID-19 infections and 7,677 deaths.
Two Phoenix subway vaccine distribution sites were opened Thursday for health workers, and three more sites will be launched next week. Vaccines are not expected to be available for most arizones until spring or summer.
The vaccine launch begins while several metrics of COVID-19 in Arizona are or are approaching the maximum they have ever been.
The number of hospitalized patients confirmed or suspected of Arizona COVID-19 hospital was up to 3,884 Wednesday, the sixth consecutive day of registration.
The number of confirmed or suspected Arizona COVID-19 patients in ICU beds was 899 on Wednesday, most since July 16, and the 970 record was closed on July 13.
Statewide, 45% of all hospital beds and 51% of all ICU beds were filled on Wednesday with patients suspected or confirmed of COVID-19.
Overall, hospital beds recorded 93% of record beds and ICU beds 92% of men. The number or rest of hospital beds (632) and ICU beds (140) were at record low points in the pandemic.
Arizona’s weekly positivity percentage for diagnostic tests for COVID-19, an indicator of how many viruses are spreading in the community, is approaching a record high.
Through 36,550 tests this week, the positivity rate was 20%.
The rate, which was 18% the previous two weeks, reached 21% at the end of June.
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 rotating average of recently reported health department cases was 6,659.71 for Wednesday, according to the follow-up to The Associated Press, the second-highest in history.
The average of seven days of recently reported deaths has kept pace with cases, but is rising this month. It was at 64.14 on Wednesday for the second day in a row, more than double from December 1 to the highest level since August 5. The average weekly mortality peaked on July 94 on July 30.
Daily reports from the Arizona Department of Health present data on cases, deaths, and evidence after the state receives statistics and confirms them, 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 on Thursday on the coronavirus pandemic across the state, the country and the world:
- The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose again last week to 885,000, the highest weekly total since September, as the resurgence of coronavirus cases jeopardizes the recovery of the economy after the collapse of spring.
- TGen researchers in Phoenix have been studying microRNA to determine a person’s potential immunity and reaction to COVID-19.
- Maricopa County will begin vaccinating against coronavirus and health workers are the first in line.
- Globally, there were about 74.38 million cases of COVID-19 and 1.65 million deaths on Thursday morning, according to research from Johns Hopkins University. U.S. figures were about 16.98 million cases and 307,000 dead.