(CB Schmelter / Chattanooga Times Free Press via AP)
This is a regularly updated story with the latest information, news and updates about the coronavirus and its effects in Arizona and beyond for Sunday, August 8th.
PHOENIX – Arizona health authorities on Sunday morning reported 816 new cases of coronavirus and 13 additional deaths.
The figures on Sunday brought the state’s documented total to 186,923 COVID-19 infections and 4,150 deaths, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
It is the first time since June 8 that less than 1,000 new cases have been reported. The state reported 625 cases on June 29, however, a reporting partner missed the deadline to be included in the cases that day.
Several key metrics about the severity of the Arizona pandemic, including coronavirus-related hospitalizations, are at or near the lowest they have been in weeks.
The seven-day moving average for newly reported cases was 1,300.71 on Saturday, the lowest since June 16, according to tracking by The Associated Press.
The seven-day average of newly reported deaths was 55.71.
The spread of coronavirus in Arizona has slowed in the weeks following the implementation of face mask requirements by local governments in many areas – including all of Maricopa County – and statewide executive orders to limit businesses such as bars and gyms and limit restaurant occupancy. .
These moves were made after the state became a global hot spot for the coronavirus, which does not affect some people and is seriously fatal as fatal to others. Infected people without symptoms – which include but are not limited to cough, fever and breathing problems – are able to spread the virus.
Arizona’s weekly positive rate for diagnostic PCR tests, indicating how widespread the virus is, fell for the fifth consecutive week. It was 9% for the 37,193 tests given and processed last week reported by the state.
The 10% positive rate for last week was the lowest seen, as it was 9% the week of May 24th.
Weekly rates are based on when the samples are taken, not when they are reported, so the percentage for the past weeks may fluctuate as laboratories are caught in testing arrears.
The weekly positive rate was 5% in early May and began to climb after Gov. Doug Ducey passed Arizona’s door-to-door order. It peaked at 21% the week beginning June 28th.
The Arizona Department of Health’s daily reports present current data on cases, deaths and tests after the state receives and confirms statistics, which can be delayed by several days or more. They do not represent actual activity in the last 24 hours.
However, the data from the hospital that is posted every morning are reported by the hospitals the previous evening.
Coronavirus-related hospitalizations declined again Saturday, continuing with a trend of the week.
The number confirmed as suspected in-patients COVID-19 from Arizona fell to 1,626, the lowest since June 17th.
The number of COVID-19 patients in ICU beds fell to 514, the lowest since June 20th.
COVID-19 patients peaked at 3,517 on July 13, and COVID-19 patients in ICU beds dropped to 970 the same day.
Overall, rates for Arizona inpatients and ICU beds remained several percentage points below the high markets seen a month ago.
Inpatient beds were 81% full on Saturday, two percent lower than Friday. The occupancy rate of inpatients reached 88% on July 9-10.
The occupancy rate of ICU on Saturday was 83%. It peaked at 7% at 91%.
Hospital bed data on the health department’s website does not include storage beds that are not activated but could potentially increase capacity.
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