Hospitalizations for COVID-19 continue decline in Arizona

Arizona reported just more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases Monday as hospitalizations steadily drop, continuing gradually improving trends seen over the past two to three weeks.

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

Identified cases rose to 179,497 and known deaths totaled 3,779, according to the daily report by the Arizona Department of Health Services.

The 14 new known deaths reported on Monday 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.

Monday’s dashboard shows 82% of inpatient beds and 83% of ICU beds were in use, which includes people being treated for COVID-19 and other patients. Overall, 41% of ventilators were in use.

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

Reported cases in Arizona: 179,497

Cases increased by 1,030, or 0.58%, from Sunday’s 178,467 identified cases since the outbreak began.

County cases: 120,960 in Maricopa, 16,741 in Pima, 11,203 in Yuma, 8,301 in Pinal, 5,284 in Navajo, 3,084 in Apache, 3,040 in Mohave, 2,997 in Coconino, 2,610 in Santa Cruz, 1,858 in Yavapai, 1,557 in Cochise, 841 in Gila, 490 in Graham, 474 in La Paz and 57 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 9,100 cases and 460 confirmed deaths as of Saturday. The Navajo Nation includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

Reported deaths: 3,779 known deaths

On Monday, 14 new deaths were reported, although many likely occurred on previous days or weeks.

County deaths: 2,108 in Maricopa, 462 in Pima, 263 in Yuma, 188 in Navajo, 153 in Mohave, 141 in Pinal, 136 in Apache, 116 in Coconino, 62 in Yavapai, 50 in Santa Cruz, 50 in Cochise, 29 in Gila, 10 in La Paz, nine in Graham and fewer than three in Greenlee.

Hospitalizations continue decline

Inpatients with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 tallied 2,017 on Sunday, continuing a gradual decline over the past three weeks. Hospitalizations have eclipsed 1,000 daily since June 1 and had surpassed 3,000 daily for much of July. Inpatient hospitalizations are gradually decreasing.

ICU bed use for suspected and confirmed positive COVID-19 patients was at 628 beds in use on Sunday, down from Saturday’s 685 beds in use. Prior to Saturday, the metric had not been below 700 beds in use since June 30. Occupied beds have seen slight decreases over the past three weeks.

Ventilator use for suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients was at 461 on Sunday, generally continuing what appears to be a two and a half-week long gradual decrease. A record high 687 ventilators in use was hit July 16.