Arizona reports 557 additional COVID cases, 19 more deaths

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James Doyle, front right, hands out face masks as people arrive at a COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic, Wednesday, May 19, 2021, at Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, Mass. A month after every adult in the U.S. became eligible for the vaccine, a distinct geographic pattern has emerged: The highest vaccination rates are concentrated in the Northeast, while the lowest ones are mostly in the South. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Health officials in Arizona on Monday reported 361 new confirmed COVID-19 cases, but there were no additional deaths for the second day in a row. On Saturday Arizona reported 557 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and 19 more deaths as the state’s pandemic totals increased to 880,466 cases and 17,628 deaths.

Memorial Day events honoring veterans were being held across the state. Some were being held in person following cancellations last year while others, like an early morning wreath-laying ceremony at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, were being shared virtually.

According to the state’s coronavirus dashboard, over 3.3 million residents have received at least one vaccine dose in Arizona, or about 46% of the state population, and 2.7 million have been fully vaccinated.

Vaccination rates vary widely, with older residents more likely to be protected.

Some 84% of residents age 65 and over are fully vaccinated, while only 37% of those ages 15-34 are fully vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines are currently available for people age 12 and older.

Last Saturday, 19 coronavirus-related deaths were reported — the state’s largest daily increase of deaths in more than two weeks. No deaths were reported on Sunday.

Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.