Ariz. reaches 5,000 COVID-19 deaths

Hospitalization metrics have been improving

Arizona reported more than 600 new COVID-19 cases and 29 new known deaths on Saturday as most metrics like hospital data continue to improve.

Hospitalization metrics like patient counts, ventilators in use and ER visits for COVID-19 have been on general downward trends over the past six weeks, with several metrics back down to levels from April and May, according to hospital data reported to the state.

Identified cases rose to 201,287 and known deaths totaled 5,007, according to the daily report by the Arizona Department of Health Services. The 29 new known deaths reported on Saturday represent the new deaths identified by the Arizona Department of Health Services that day, but many occurred days and weeks prior.

Saturday’s dashboard shows 83% of inpatient beds and 79% of ICU beds in use, which includes people being treated for COVID-19 and other patients. COVID-19 patients are using 10% of all inpatient beds and 16% of ICU beds. Overall, 31% of ventilators were in use.

Here’s what you need to know about Saturday’s new numbers.

Reported cases

● Cases increased by 629, or 0.31%, from Friday’s 200,658 identified cases since the outbreak began.

● County cases: 133,389 in Maricopa, 21,133 in Pima, 12,213 in Yuma, 9,514 in Pinal, 5,592 in Navajo, 3,597 in Mohave, 3,340 in Apache, 3,311 in Coconino, 2,722 in Santa Cruz, 2,287 in Yavapai, 1,815 in Cochise, 1,104 in Gila, 714 in Graham, 498 in La Paz and 58 in Greenlee, according to state numbers.

● The Navajo Nation reported 9,601 cases and 499 confirmed deaths as of Thursday. The Navajo Nation includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

Reported deaths

● On Saturday, 29 new deaths were reported, although many occurred days and weeks prior.

● County deaths: 2,950 in Maricopa, 575 in Pima, 319 in Yuma, 219 in Navajo, 202 in Mohave, 183 in Pinal, 154 in Apache, 125 in Coconino, 77 in Yavapai, 60 in Cochise, 57 in Santa Cruz, 47 in Gila, 22 in Graham, 15 in La Paz and fewer than three in Greenlee.

Hospitalizations continue downward trends

● Inpatients with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 were at 812 on Friday, a slight increase from Thursday’s 809, which was the fewest COVID-19 inpatients since late May.

● ICU bed use for suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients was at 262 beds in use on Friday, down from 272 beds on Thursday.

● Ventilator use for suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients was at 164 on Friday, dropping from hovering levels earlier this week.