COVID-19 cases surpass 165,000 in Arizona, with death toll now at 3,408

Arizona reported more than 100 new known COVID-19 deaths and more than 2,100 new cases on Tuesday as hospital numbers continue gradual declines.

Inpatient hospitalizations, ICU beds in use and emergency department visits by suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients all continued gradual decreases on Monday, according to hospital data reported to the state. Ventilators in use increased slightly from the day prior. But hospitals remain under high pressure, with many COVID-19 patients.

Identified cases rose to 165,934 and known deaths total 3,408, according to the daily report by the Arizona Department of Health Services.

The 104 additional known deaths reported on Tuesday 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 case often represent cases identified days and weeks prior.

Tuesday’s dashboard shows 81% of current inpatient beds and 84% of ICU beds were in use, which includes people being treated for COVID-19 and other patients. Overall, 47% of ventilators were in use.

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

Reported cases in Arizona: 165,934

● Cases increased by 2,107, or 1.3%, from Monday’s 163,827 identified cases since the outbreak began.

● County cases: 111,446 in Maricopa, 15,292 in Pima, 10,562 in Yuma, 7,655 in Pinal, 5,106 in Navajo, 2,945 in Apache, 2,880 in Coconino, 2,791 in Mohave, 2,535 in Santa Cruz, 1,627 in Yavapai, 1,422 in Cochise, 724 in Gila, 466 in La Paz, 431 in Graham and 52 in Greenlee, according to state numbers.

● The state’s total case count includes individuals who tested positive on a diagnostic PCR test as well as individuals who tested positive on an antibody test who had COVID-19 symptoms or were linked to a known case. Of the cases, 99% are individuals with a positive diagnostic test, according to the state health department.

● 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 8,912 cases and 441 confirmed deaths as of Monday. The Navajo Nation includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

Reported deaths: 3,408 in Arizona

On Tuesday, 104 new deaths were

i reported, although many likely occurred on previous days or weeks. No new known deaths were reported Monday.

County deaths: 1,882 in Maricopa,

i 431 in Pima, 226 in Yuma, 179 in Navajo, 142 in Mohave, 128 in Apache, 123 in Pinal, 112 in Coconino, 54 in Yavapai, 49 in Santa Cruz, 44 in Cochise, 22 in Gila, nine in La Paz, six in Graham and fewer than three in Greenlee.

Hospitalizations declining

● Inpatients with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 tallied 2,564 on Monday, continuing a gradual plateau and decline over the past three weeks. Hospitalizations have eclipsed 1,000 daily since June 1 and have had surpassed 3,000 daily for most of July until last week. Inpatient hospitalizations seem to be gradually decreasing.

● ICU bed use for suspected and confirmed positive COVID-19 patients was at 814 beds in use on Monday, down from Sunday’s 820 ICU beds in use. Occupied beds have seen slight decreases over the past two weeks. The number has been above 500 daily since June 15, with a relatively steady increase in the weeks since, until recently. Like inpatient beds, it is starting to gradually decrease.