Ariz. hospitalizations for COVID up, but far below peak

PHOENIX – Arizona health officials on Thursday reported 863 additional known COVID-19 cases with 10 more deaths, increasing the state’s totals to 223,401 known cases and 5,743 reported deaths amid a recent gradual increase in hospitalizations.

Some COVID-19-related hospitalization metrics as of Wednesday released by the Department of Health Services showed continued higher numbers of inpatient hospitalizations and usage of intensive care beds since lows in late September.

The number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations stood at 728 on Wednesday, up from 468 on Sept. 27 and the most since 752 on Sept. 1. ICU bed usage totaled 156 on Wednesday, up from 115 on Sept. 29 and the most since 168 on Sept. 13.

However, the latest levels remained far below peaks experienced in mid-summer when Arizona was a national hotspot and hospitalizations peaked at 3,517 on July 13.

Meanwhile, seven-day rolling averages of daily new cases and daily deaths in Arizona both decreased in the past two weeks, according to Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press.

The average of daily new cases dropped by 768 on Sept. 23 to 576 on Wednesday as the average of daily deaths dropped from 22 to 12.

The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.

Most people experience mild or moderate symptoms with the coronavirus, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.