Arizona reports 900 new COVID-19 cases, death count reaches 18,000

PHOENIX – Arizona public health officials on Tuesday reported 900 new COVID-19 cases coming out of the holiday weekend and 21 more deaths from the virus.

The latest documented totals were 897,910 infections and 18,000 fatalities, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services’ COVID-19 dashboard.

Only 50 cases were reported Monday, the observed Fourth of July holiday.

The dashboard also showed that 6,568,644 vaccine doses have been administered in the state, with 3,583,550 people (49.8% of the state’s population) having received at least one shot and 3,174,161 people fully vaccinated.

Hospitalizations related to COVID-19 have been fluctuating by relatively small amounts on a day-to-day basis.

Today’s #COVID19 dashboard adds 900 cases and 21 deaths following the long weekend. Reported deaths from COVID-19 have reached 18,000. Please protect yourself and others by getting vaccinated. Vaccines are safe, effective and free. Find a location at https://t.co/JLETqzjyqa. pic.twitter.com/XRQctyhUQC

— AZ Dept of Health (@AZDHS) July 6, 2021

The number of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 inpatients in the state’s hospitals increased by six overnight to 531 on Monday. The number of ICU beds used by COVID-19 patients went up by nine to 144.

The weekly percent positivity for diagnostic testing hit 7% last week, the highest since February.

The state health department’s daily updates present case and death 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 numbers posted each morning are reported electronically the previous evening by hospitals across the state.

COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 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.

Information about where to get tested for COVID-19 can be found on the Department of Health Services website.

Federally approved vaccines are highly effective in stopping the transmission of COVID-19.

For details about statewide vaccine availability, the ADHS website has a vaccine-finder page with locations and other information.

For information about metro Phoenix vaccine availability, Maricopa County Public Health has a locator page that lists pharmacies, government-run sites, health clinics and pop-up distribution events.

Appointments may be required depending on the provider, but many accept walk-ins.

The minimum age to receive the Pfizer shot has been reduced to 12, but it’s still 18 for the other approved versions, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

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