Arizona reported no coronavirus deaths on Monday for a second consecutive day and 475 confirmed cases, state health officials said.
The latest numbers bring the statewide total to 226,050 cases with the death toll standing at 5,759.
On Saturday, state Department of Health Services officials reported 894 new cases. That was the largest daily increase since Sept. 17-18 when the count ballooned to 1,753 and 1,281, respectively. Since the state changed its counting methodology, each day added hundreds of past antigen test results to the total count.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 hospitalizations including ventilator use and occupancy of intensive care unit beds remained steady or creeped up very, very slightly.
In other news developments:
—University of Arizona officials said on Monday that students who plan to travel home for the holidays should consider staying there for the rest of the semester. University President Robert Robbins said students will be encouraged to study remotely if they can, rather than risk contracting COVID-19 from traveling. Campus dorms will stay open for those who have nowhere to go.
Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
