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Arizona officials hold COVID-19 briefing as hospitals near capacity
Gov. Doug Ducey’s COVID-19 adviser and hospital leaders held a briefing Tuesday afternoon, as hospital capacities are reaching their limits in Arizona. FOX 10's Brian Webb reports.
PHOENIX - Arizona on Wednesday reported over 4,000 additional confirmed COVID-19 for the fifth time this month as virus-related hospitalizations continued to inch upward.
The 4,064 additional cases and 36 deaths reported by the Department of Health Services’ coronavirus dashboard increased the state’s pandemic totals to 1,252,248 cases and 22,098 deaths.
COVID-related hospitalizations are over half the Jan. 11 pandemic high of 5,082, with 2,574 virus patients occupying inpatient beds as of Nov. 23.
Hospital leaders and public health officials on Tuesday pleaded for people to get vaccinated and take other precautions to avoid spreading the coronavirus and not overwhelm the state’s health care system.
Many hospitals are crowded with virus patients as well as others being treated for non-COVID conditions.
According to Johns Hopkins University data, Arizona’s seven-day rolling average of daily new cases increased over the past two weeks, rising from 3,339.7 on Nov. 8 to 3,964.4 on Monday.
The state’s rolling average of daily deaths was nearly stable during the same period, slipping from 47.2 to 46.6.
MORE: Coronavirus in Arizona: Latest case numbers
In order to protect yourself from a possible infection, the CDC recommends:
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- Monitor your health daily
Symptoms for coronavirus COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. These, of course, are similar to the common cold and flu.
Expect a common cold to start out with a sore or scratchy throat, cough, runny and/or stuffy nose. Flu symptoms are more intense and usually come on suddenly, and can include a high fever.
Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear more slowly. They usually include fever, a dry cough and noticeable shortness of breath, according to the World Health Organization. A minority of cases develop pneumonia, and the disease is especially worrisome for the elderly and those with other medical problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or heart conditions.
RELATED: Is it the flu, a cold or COVID-19? Different viruses present similar symptoms
To protect yourself, wash your hands well and often, keep them away from your face, and avoid crowds and standing close to people.
And if you do find yourself showing any of these flu or coronavirus symptoms - don't go straight to your doctor's office. That just risks making more people sick, officials urge. Call ahead, and ask if you need to be seen and where.
More COVID-19 in Arizona news
- With COVID numbers rising, Arizona urges holiday precautions
- Arizona man reunited with family after months-long COVID-19 battle
- 'Have a shot at a healthy holiday': Phoenix partners with healthcare providers to offer COVID-19 relief
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