Arizona on Tuesday reported 507 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and 53 more deaths as rolling averages of daily new cases and daily deaths dropped sharply over the past two weeks.
The latest figures increased the state’s pandemic totals to 837,244 cases and 16,798 deaths.
As of Monday, 650 COVID-19 patients occupied inpatient beds, up from 647 on Sunday but far below the Jan. 11 pandemic of 5,082.
The rolling average of daily cases plummeted from 1,345 on March 7 to 479 on Sunday while the rolling average of daily deaths dropped from 49.9 to 27.4 during the same period, according to Johns Hopkins University data.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher than reported because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
Arizona on Monday announced that it will open COVID-19 vaccine appointments at state-run vaccination sites to anyone 16 and older starting Wednesday.
Officials said the decision followed a review of vaccination data, softening demand, and an expected increase of supply in the coming weeks.
Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
