Arizona reports COVID-19 case bulge, cites ‘reporting issue’

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Face mask with Arizona flag (file)

PHOENIX - Arizona on July 14 reported its largest daily number of additional confirmed COVID-19 cases in four months but public health officials attributed the rise to an "electronic reporting issue" that lowered numbers the two previous days.

The 1,945 cases reported Wednesday constituted the largest daily increase since 2,276 were reported on March 5, at the tail end of the winter surge, according to data from the state’s coronavirus dashboard. The rise follows daily case reports of 122 and 345 on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

"The higher number of cases results from resolving an electronic reporting issue that lowered case numbers the past two days," the Department of Health Services said on Twitter.

Department spokesman Steve Elliot said in an email that the reporting system had a "bug" that prevented results from including some case reports the past two days. The problem has been fixed, he said.

Elliot also stressed that a single day’s additions "do not represent a trend."

However, the surge of cases came after a gradual increase in new daily reported cases statewide, a trend reported across the country due to the fast-spreading delta variant, lagging vaccination rates and Fourth of July gatherings.

Arizona’s seven-day average of daily new cases rose over the past two weeks from 510 on June 28 to 571 on Monday, according to Johns Hopkins University data.

Meanwhile, virus-related hospitalizations have inched upward, with 669 COVID-19 patients occupying hospital beds as of Tuesday. Virus hospitalizations in Arizona have generally ranged between 500 and 600 in the past two months, according to the state’s dashboard.

Arizona also reported 21 deaths, officials said Wednesday. The state has had 903,851 cases and 18,076 deaths since the pandemic began.

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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.

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.