State reports 3,212 new COVID-19 cases; fewer hospitalized

Hospitalizations continue gradual declines from their mid-July peaks, as Arizona reported another 3,212 new COVID-19 cases on Friday and 68 more known deaths.

Inpatient hospitalizations, ICU beds in use, ventilators in use and emergency department visits by suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients all continued gradual downward trends on Thursday, according to hospital data reported to the state. But hospitals remain under high pressure, with many COVID-19 patients.

Identified cases rose to 174,010 and known deaths totaled 3,694, according to the daily report by the Arizona Department of Health Services.

The 68 new known deaths reported Friday represent the new deaths identified by the Arizona Department of Health Services that day, but many occurred days and weeks prior. Given slow test result turnaround times, new daily reported cases often represent cases that occurred days and weeks prior.

Friday's dashboard shows 84% of inpatient beds and 86% of ICU beds were in use, which includes people being treated for COVID-19 and other patients. Overall, 45% of ventilators were in use.

Here's what you need to about Friday's new numbers.

Reported cases in Arizona: 174,010

Cases increased by 3,212, or 1.9%, from Thursday's 170,798 identified cases since the outbreak began. County cases: 117,293 in Maricopa, 16,167 in Pima, 10,880 in Yuma, 7,990 in Pinal, 5,202 in Navajo, 2,994 in Apache, 2,947 in Coconino, 2,918 in Mohave, 2,599 in Santa Cruz, 1,733 in Yavapai, 1,503 in Cochise, 809 in Gila, 469 in La Paz, 451 in Graham and 55 in Greenlee, according to state numbers.

The rate of cases per 100,000 people is highest in Santa Cruz County, followed by Yuma, Navajo and Apache counties.

The Navajo Nation reported 9,019 cases and 454 confirmed deaths as of Thursday. The Navajo Nation includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

Reported deaths: 3,694 known deaths

On Friday, 68 new deaths were reported, although many likely occurred on previous days or weeks.

County deaths: 2,054 in Maricopa, 459 in Pima, 254 in Yuma, 187 in Navajo, 149 in Mohave, 136 in Pinal, 130 in Apache, 117 in Coconino, 60 in Yavapai, 50 in Santa Cruz, 48 in Cochise, 29 in Gila, 10 in La Paz, nine in Graham and fewer than three in Greenlee.

Hospitalizations continue declining

Inpatients with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 tallied 2,302 on Thursday, continuing a gradual plateau and decline over the past three weeks. Hospitalizations have eclipsed 1,000 daily since June 1 and had surpassed 3,000 daily for most of July until last week.

ICU bed use for suspected and confirmed positive COVID-19 patients was at 719 beds in use on Thursday, down from Wednesday's 758 beds in use. Prior to Wednesday, the metric had not dropped below 800 beds in use since July 3.