Arizona reports fewer than 3,000 new COVID-19 cases; hospitalizations climb
Nov 8, 2021, 8:38 AM | Updated: 8:40 am
A girl poses for a photograph after receiving her first Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccination at the Fairfax County Government Center on Nov. 4, 2021, in Annandale, Virginia, after the federal government approved the coronavirus vaccine for children between the ages of 5 and 11. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
PHOENIX – Arizona health officials on Monday reported 2,657 new COVID-19 cases, breaking a four-day streak of more than 3,000 cases, and no additional deaths from the disease.
The latest documented totals are 1,192,365 infections and 21,409 fatalities, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services COVID-19 dashboard.
Today’s #COVID19 dashboard update adds 2,657 cases and no deaths. The Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine is over 90% effective at preventing COVID-19 in children ages 5 through 11 years. Find a vaccine provider near you: https://t.co/Sxfvq6iuUh pic.twitter.com/WVp7bRgjxn
— AZ Dept of Health (@AZDHS) November 8, 2021
After plateauing in October, COVID-related hospitalizations have been climbing this month.
The number of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 inpatients in the state’s hospitals Sunday was 1,943, 20 more than the previous day and the most since Sept. 17.
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The number of ICU beds used by COVID patients was 504, 12 more than the previous day and the first time over 500 since Sept. 29.
The positivity rate for reported COVID-19 diagnostic testing done last week was 12%, the highest recorded on the dashboard since the last week of July.
According to data for August from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unvaccinated people nationwide are 6.1 times more likely to get infected and 11.3 times more likely to die than people who were fully vaccinated.
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 5, 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.
