Arizona finds 3,388 new COVID-19 cases, 39 more deaths

West Nile Virus hospitalizations on the rise in Phoenix area hospitals

Arizona’s total numbers since the pandemic started now stand at 1,090,839 cases and 19,959 fatalities. Now, West Nile Virus cases and hospitalizations are on the rise.

PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona is reporting 3,388 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 39 deaths.

The state dashboard posted the latest numbers Wednesday, but health officials say they are somewhat elevated because a system glitch a day earlier kept some cases from being reported.

Arizona’s total numbers since the pandemic started now stand at 1,090,839 cases and 19,959 fatalities.

Hospitalizations due to the virus dipped slightly Tuesday to 1,767.

Meanwhile, the number of people in Arizona who have received at least one vaccine dose is more than 4.1 million — or 58.1% of the eligible population. Almost 3.7 million have been fully vaccinated.

West Nile Virus cases impacting hospitals amid pandemic

West Nile Virus cases impacting Phoenix area hospitals amid pandemic

Arizona healthcare leaders say the state is now seeing a decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations, but now doctors are concerned about the alarming increase in hospitalizations due to another deadly virus. The West Nile Virus.

The West Nile Virus.

Arizonans are being warned to protect themselves against people and mosquitoes now.

More than 100 new cases of West Nile have been recorded just within the past five weeks. So far, the Arizona Department of Health Services is reporting 187 confirmed and probable cases of West Nile.

Of those, 60% have been hospitalized with severe symptoms – meaning the virus has invaded the nerves in the spine or brain, causing encephalitis and meningitis.

Nine people have died this year from the West Nile Virus. In comparison, West Nile numbers are not nearly as high as COVID-19 numbers as nearly 1,800 patients in the hospital have been diagnosed with COVID-19 recently.

While doctors say there is no vaccine for the West Nile Virus, the best defense is to prevent getting bit by mosquitoes.

MORE: Coronavirus in Arizona: Latest case numbers