Arizona reports 3,741 new COVID-19 cases, 4 more deaths

This is a regularly updated story with the latest information about the coronavirus and its impact in Arizona and beyond for Feb. 1, 2021.

PHOENIX – Arizona health officials on Monday reported 3,741 new coronavirus cases, the smallest daily increase of the year, and four additional deaths from COVID-19.

The state’s documented totals moved to 762,145 infections and 13,124 fatalities, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services’ COVID-19 dashboard.

The last time fewer new cases were reported was 2,799 on Dec. 29.

As of Sunday’s update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Arizona continued to lead the nation in average cases per capita over the last seven days and was No. 2 in deaths behind Alabama.

Key metrics indicate that the massive surge in Arizona that started in November is past its peak, mirroring national trends, but the virus remains widespread across the state.

The number of Arizona’s confirmed or suspected COVID-19 inpatients fell to 3,654 on Sunday, the fewest since Dec. 12. The number of ICU beds used by COVID-19 patients increased by five to 984, the second-fewest since Dec. 25.

Statewide, COVID-19 patients took up 42% of all inpatient beds and 54% of all ICU beds on Sunday. Overall, inpatient beds were at 90% of capacity and ICU beds at 91%.

Arizona’s weekly percent positivity for COVID-19 diagnostic testing, an indicator of how much the virus is spreading in the community, has been receding but remains at a substantial level.

Of the 110,411 people tested last week, 16% received a positive result, the lowest rate since before Thanksgiving and the fourth consecutive weekly decline.

Official positivity rates are based on when the samples are taken, not when they are reported, so the percentage for recent weeks can fluctuate as labs get caught up on testing and the results are documented by the state.

The seven-day average for the state health department’s newly reported coronavirus cases was at 5,118.57 for Sunday, according to tracking by The Associated Press, the lowest mark Dec. 4. The seven-day average of newly reported deaths was 126, the lowest since Jan. 7.

The state’s daily updates present case, death and testing data after the state receives statistics and confirms them, which can lag by several days or more. They don’t represent the actual activity over the past 24 hours.

The hospitalization data posted each morning is reported electronically the previous evening by 100 hospitals across the state, as required under executive order.

COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has no impact on some people and is seriously debilitating or fatal for others. Infected people without symptoms — which include but are not limited to cough, fever and difficulty breathing — are capable of spreading the virus.

Diagnostic testing is available at hundreds of locations across Arizona and should be sought out by anybody with symptoms or who may have been exposed to an infected person. Information about locations, schedules and registration can be found on the Department of Health Services website.

The department also has a vaccine-finder page with a map of active and pending locations and information about registration.

Below are Monday’s latest developments about the coronavirus pandemic from around the state, country and world:

• The Navajo Nation reported 61 new coronavirus cases and two additional deaths, bringing the documented totals to 28,388 infections, including two delayed reported cases, and 1,020 fatalities.
• The Maricopa County health department has opened a limited amount of first dose COVID-19 vaccine appointments for those ages 75 and older for Tuesday at its Chandler and Goodyear pods.
• The Arizona health department said that more than 671,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in the state, an increase of nearly 12,000 from Sunday. More than 102,000 people have received both of their shots in Arizona.
• It could be a while before Arizona’s overall COVID-19 vaccine allotment increases significantly, but the state’s rural counties can expect a boost this week, according to Dr. Cara Christ.
• A second state-run mass vaccination site opened at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, but supply is limiting its hours of operation and likely will for some time, Arizona’s top health official told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Arizona’s Morning News.
• Globally, there were about 103 million COVID-19 cases and 2.23 million deaths as of Monday morning, according to Johns Hopkins University research. The figures for the U.S. were around 26.19 million cases and 441,000 deaths.

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