After two consecutive days of reporting over 2,000 new COVID-19 cases, Arizona health officials reported 1,846 cases Monday.
The state dashboard reported only one new virus-related death, bringing the pandemic death toll to 18,252 and the number of cases to 931,387.
The number of hospitalizations from the virus are also continuing on an alarming upward trajectory. As of Sunday, 1,169 people were hospitalized statewide. It hasn’t been that high since early March.
Public health officials in the state and elsewhere attribute the worsening spread to the very contagious delta variant and low vaccination rates.
They said hospitalizations related to COVID-19 soared in July with unvaccinated people accounting for almost all of the serious illnesses and deaths.
Gov. Doug Ducey and health officials continue to push for vaccination. So far, over 6.8 million vaccine doses have been administered. More than 3.7 million people — 52.2% of the state’s population — have received at least one dose of vaccine. Over 3.3 million Arizonans are fully vaccinated.
Meanwhile, more school districts are set to return to class this week. The state’s ban on school-wide mask mandates has created tension with numerous staff and teachers. Last week, the Phoenix Union High School District’s superintendent announced a mask mandate regardless of vaccination status in defiance of state law.
Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
