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Latest coronavirus numbers in Arizona - 3/15/21
FOX 10's Renee Nelson has the latest coronavirus data from the Arizona Department of Health Services after 638 new cases and no additional deaths were reported on March 15.
PHOENIX - Arizona health officials on March 15 reported no new COVID-19 deaths and 638 more confirmed cases, one of the lowest figures in months.
The state Department of Health Services released the latest numbers, bringing the totals since the pandemic started to 833,381 cases and 16,553 deaths.
It’s not clear if the low case count is because of hospitals sometimes lagging on reporting data on weekends.
Still, even the number of COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds continues to drop. As of Sunday, 716 people were hospitalized due to the virus. Of those, 210 were in ICU beds. The last time those figures were that low was October.
MORE: 1st case of Brazilian COVID-19 variant detected in Arizona, officials say
Data from Johns Hopkins University indicated that seven-day rolling averages of daily new cases and daily deaths declined over the past two weeks.
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.
Meanwhile, many Arizona schools reopened for full-time in-person instruction Monday as mandated by Gov. Doug Ducey’s executive order. Earlier this month, the Republican governor announced schools had to return to in-person learning by March 15 or after their spring break. He cited teachers getting vaccinated as a main factor.
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Many Arizona schools preparing to return to in-person learning on March 15
Ducey has said he believes Arizona can meet President Joe Biden’s declaration that everyone who wants a vaccine will be able to get one by May.
To bring attention to the increasing vaccination effort, Dr. Cara Christ, director of the state Department of Health Services, administered the 500,000th dose at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Monday. The around-the-clock, state-run vaccination site has been praised as a model.
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Tips for keeping a strong immune system
Exercising and eating right are vital.
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
RELATED:
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State Farm Stadium in Glendale marks 500,000th COVID-19 dose administered
It was a major milestone for vaccinations here in Arizona on March 15 as we hear from the woman who received the 500,000th Covid vaccine.
Coronavirus in Arizona: Latest case numbers
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MORE: Arizona Dept. of Health COVID-19 vaccine prioritization
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.
Continuing Coverage
FOX 10 is working to keep you up to date with local and national developments on COVID-19. Every weekday on FOX News Now, our live coverage begins at 7 a.m. MST reporting the latest news, prevention tips and treatment information.
You can watch live in your FOX 10 News app or on the FOX 10 Facebook page.
You can also get the latest coronavirus news from around the country at coronavirusnow.com.