Arizona reports 2,495 new COVID-19 cases, 49 more deaths Thursday

PHOENIX – Arizona health officials on Thursday reported 2,495 new COVID-19 cases and 49 additional deaths from the disease.

The latest documented totals are 1,142,122 infections and 20,770 fatalities, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services COVID-19 dashboard.

Today’s #COVID19 dashboard update adds 2,495 cases and 49 deaths. #ICYMI: COVID-19 vaccinations are coming soon for ages 5-11, find out what you need to know. https://t.co/kOuvCeMnW4

— AZ Dept of Health (@AZDHS) October 21, 2021

Arizona has reported a daily average of 45.3 deaths over the last seven days.

The number of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 inpatients in the state’s hospitals as of Wednesday was 1,688, down 63 from the previous day to more than 400 below the high mark of the July-September surge.

The number of ICU beds used by COVID-19 patients was 482, down two from the previous day to more than 90 below the peak of the latest wave.

The dashboard also showed that 4,205,315 people (58.5% of the state’s population, based on 7,189,020 residents) have received at least one dose of vaccine in Arizona and 3,675,075 people are fully vaccinated (51.1% of the population). The nationwide rates are 66.1% with at least one dose and 57.1% fully vaccinated, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In August, unvaccinated people nationwide were 6.1 times more likely to get infected and 11.3 times more likely to die than people who were fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.

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.

Free federally authorized vaccines are widely available. The minimum age to receive the Pfizer shot is 12, and it’s 18 for the other available versions: Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.

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.

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 ADHS website.

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