More than 1,000 COVID-19 cases reported in Arizona for fourth day in a row

Arizona officials reported more than 1,000 new cases of COVID-19 for a fourth consecutive day on Saturday, The Associated Press reported.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, 1,152 new positive cases were reported on Saturday as well as 14 deaths linked to COVID-19. The number of COVID-19-related hospitalizations also jumped to 745 on Friday, surpassing recent totals of 500 to 600 daily hospitalizations during the months of May and June.

In addition, according to recent statistics, 10% of patients infected with the virus occupy beds in a hospital, down from the previous record of 66% during the winter.

In a statement last week, Dr Cara Christ, the director of Arizona’s Department of Health Services said an increase in virus cases was preventable if people got vaccinated, Christ also noted that 51% of Arizona’s population is vaccinated.

“With at least 50% of all Arizonans having received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, there is less chance for a significant increase in cases or a significant strain on the healthcare system and intensive care units.” , said Christ. “But we have reached the point where severe cases and deaths from COVID-19 are almost entirely preventable. “

The developments come as most of the country experiences another wave of COVID-19 cases due to the more contiguous delta variant.

Arizona has recorded a total of 908,248 COVID-19 cases as well as 18,117 COVID-related deaths since the start of the pandemic, according to state data.