Arizona says data problem reduced report of additional COVID-19 cases

Questions over mixing of COVID-19 vaccine shots as officials approve Pfizer booster shots

While only Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 booster shots have received emergency use authorization, and federal officials are not recommending the mixing of shots, there are still questions over whether mixing vaccine shots could be beneficial. FOX 10's Matt Galka reports.

PHOENIX - Arizona on Sept. 28 reported 1,123 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases, a figure less than half the state’s latest seven-day daily rolling average and one that state officials said was low because of a reporting problem.

Because of the problem, which has been fixed, figures released Wednesday and Thursday will be higher than otherwise would be the case, the Department of Health Services said.

The state also reported 108 additional virus deaths as the state’s pandemic totals increased to 1,087,451 cases and 1,9920 deaths, the department’s coronavirus dashboard reported.

According to Johns Hopkins University data, the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases dropped over the past two weeks, decreasing from 2,581.4 on Sept. 12 to 2,500.7 on Sunday. The rolling average of daily deaths rose from 26.9 to 42.7 during the same period.

COVID-19-related hospitalizations, which have decreased slightly since mid-September, as of Monday were at 1,794 for the second straight day, the state’s dashboard reported.

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.

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.