Ariz. reports nearly 3,000 new COVID-19 cases, over 50 deaths

Hospitalizations continue gradual declines from their mid-July peaks, as Arizona reported another 2,992 new COVID-19 cases on Saturday and 53 more known deaths.

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

Identified cases rose to 177,002 and known deaths totaled 3,747, according to the daily report by the Arizona Department of Health Services.

The 53 new known deaths reported Saturday 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.

Saturday’s dashboard shows 83% of inpatient beds and 85% of ICU beds were in use, which includes people being treated for COVID-19 and other patients. Overall, 44% of ventilators were in use.

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

Reported cases in Arizona: 177,002

Cases increased by 2,992, or 1.7%, from Friday’s 174,010 identified cases since the outbreak began.

County cases: 119,295 in Maricopa, 16,475 in Pima, 11,078 in Yuma, 8,153 in Pinal, 5,255 in Navajo, 3,054 in Apache, 2,964 in Coconino, 2,990 in Mohave, 2,610 in Santa Cruz, 1,778 in Yavapai, 1,523 in Cochise, 822 in Gila, 472 in La Paz, 478 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, which includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, had reported 9,019 cases and 454 confirmed deaths as of Thursday. Reported deaths in Arizona: 3,747

On Saturday, 53 new deaths were reported, although many likely occurred on previous days or weeks.

County deaths: 2,089 in Maricopa, 462 in Pima, 254 in Yuma, 188 in Navajo, 153 in Mohave, 140 in Pinal, 135 in Apache, 117 in Coconino, 60 in Yavapai, 50 in Santa Cruz, 49 in Cochise, 29 in Gila, 10 in La Paz, nine in Graham and fewer than three in Greenlee.