Arizona coronavirus update: 17,262 cases, 831 known deaths

Arizona cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the new coronavirus, now approach 17,300 with 831 known deaths, according to numbers released on Wednesday by the Arizona Department of Health Services.

Arizona’s total identified cases rose to 17,262 on Wednesday, with 831 known deaths, according to the most recent state figures. That’s an increase of 479 confirmed cases, or 2.85%, since Tuesday when the state reported 16,783 identified cases and 807 deaths. Twentyfour new deaths were reported Wednesday.

New cases have been reported each day by the state, typically in the several hundreds. The daily increase in case numbers also reflects a lag in obtaining results from the time a test was conducted.

Additional deaths are reported each day as well, and have varied between single- and double-digit increases. The number of deaths reported each day represents the additional known deaths reported by the Health Department that day, but could have occurred weeks prior and on different days.

The date with the most deaths in a single day so far is April 30 with 25 deaths, followed by April 23 and May 8 with 24 deaths each. Next come April 19, April 20 and May 5 with 22 deaths on each of those days, according to Wednesday’s data, which is likely to change in the days ahead as more deaths are identified.

Maricopa County’s confirmed case total was at 8,627 on Wednesday, according to state numbers.

The number of Arizona cases likely is higher than official numbers because of limits on supplies and available tests. The state announced on April 23 that anyone who believes he or she could be infected can now get tested.

The latest Arizona data

As of Wednesday morning, the state reported death totals from these counties: 397 in Maricopa, 175 in Pima, 75 in Coconino, 57 in Navajo, 42 in Mohave, 37 in Pinal, 26 in Apache, 10 in Yuma and six in Yavapai.

La Paz County and Gila County officials reported two deaths each and Cochise County reported one death, although the state site listed the three counties as just having fewer than three deaths. Greenlee, Graham and Santa Cruz counties each reported no deaths.

Overall, Arizona has 240.1 cases and 11.56 deaths per 100,000 residents, according to state data.

The scope of the outbreak differs by county. Maricopa County has 197.5 cases and 9.09 deaths per 100,000 residents, and Pima has 202.8 cases and 16.75 deaths per 100,000 residents.

Coconino has 723.8 cases and 50.93 deaths per 100,000 residents, and Navajo has 1,464.2 cases and 50.52 deaths per 100,000 residents.

Cases rise in other counties

According to Wednesday’s state update, Pima County reported 2,119 identified cases. Navajo County reported 1,652 cases, while Apache County reported 1,250, Coconino County 1,066, Yuma County 782, Pinal County 777, Mohave County 339 and Yavapai County 292.

Santa Cruz County reported 188 cases, Cochise County 63, La Paz County 54, Gila County 25, Graham County 25 and Greenlee County three, according to state numbers.

The Navajo Nation reported a total of 4,811 and 157 confirmed deaths as of Tuesday evening.