Arizona reports more than 3,000 new COVID-19 cases as hospitalizations rise
Nov 9, 2021, 9:27 AM
A 5-year-old girl reacts after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at a pop-up site at P.S. 19 on Nov. 8, 2021, in the Lower East Side in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
PHOENIX – Arizona health officials on Tuesday reported more than 3,000 new COVID-19 cases for the fifth time in six days, while hospitalizations continue to climb.
The addition of 3,118 cases and 77 deaths brought the state’s documented totals to 1,195,483 infections and 21,486 fatalities, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services COVID-19 dashboard.
Today’s #COVID19 dashboard update adds 3,118 cases and 77 deaths. Have questions about vaccines? Ask a doctor. Nearly all practicing U.S. doctors had been vaccinated against COVID-19 as of mid-June according to the American Medical Association. https://t.co/X8Bi3dGJj1
— AZ Dept of Health (@AZDHS) November 9, 2021
The number of COVID-related inpatients and ICU patients increased Monday for the fifth consecutive day to levels not seen since September.
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Arizona’s hospitals were up to 1,997 COVID inpatients, an overnight increase of 54 to the highest level since Sept. 16. The number of COVID inpatients has gone up by 15.6% in the past two weeks.
The state’s ICUs had 512 COVID patients, an overnight increase of eight to the highest level since Sept. 28. COVID ICU cases have risen by 18.2% in the past two weeks.
The positivity rate for reported COVID-19 diagnostic testing on samples taken last week was 12%, the highest mark 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.
