Arizona reports 5,366 new COVID-19 cases and 34 more deaths
PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona health officials on Sunday reported 5,366 new COVID-19 cases and 34 more related deaths due to the current coronavirus surge.
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, the statewide totals now stand at 453,597 cases and 7,971 known deaths since the pandemic began in March.
Coronavirus in Arizona: Latest case numbers
The number of infections is thought to be far higher than reported because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
The state’s 4,104 COVID-19-related hospitalizations reported as of Friday was the latest in a string of pandemic-high hospitalizations reported starting earlier this month.
The previous pandemic hospitalization record was 3,517 on July 13 during Arizona’s summer surge.
According to the state’s coronavirus dashboard, only 8% of all hospital beds and of ICU beds were available and not in use.
Although many hospitals around Arizona have taken steps authorized by regulators to increase capacity during the pandemic, the state crisis plan’s provision to guide clinical decisions on providing care to patients when the system is overloaded and short of staff and critical equipment hasn’t been activated.
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