PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona on Thursday reported 2,135 additional coronavirus cases, the most since Aug. 1, as related hospitalizations and rates of cases, deaths and positive test results continued to increase.
The state Department of Health Services reported 28 additional deaths from the coronavirus outbreak as the statewide totals increased to 252,768 cases and 6,087 deaths.
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.
“With COVID-19 cases increasing, it is more important than ever for Arizonans to stay home from school or work when they are sick,” the department said on Twitter.
The department said the increased cases were expected with many businesses reopening and students returning to schools. But the department said the outbreak isn’t as severe as it was in Arizona last summer or is now in other parts of the country.
While most COVID-19 metrics still meet the state’s “moderate” benchmarks that allow partial openings of businesses and schools, there are case and positivity increases across the state, Dr. Cara Christ, the department’s director, said in a video statement.
“With more community transmission, it’s critical for each of us to help reduce the spread of COVID-19,” Christ said, listing recommendations for wearing masks, washing hands and socially distancing.
COVID-19-related hospitalizations are up, but Arizona still has sufficient capacity, Christ said.
Arizona is in a “much different place” than last summer, she said.
Arizona was a national hot spot in June and July. But conditions improved in August and September before COVID-19 cases, and hospitalizations gradually increased during October.
COVID-19-related hospitalizations in Arizona continued to increase, a trend seen since late September.
The number of people hospitalized for COVID-19, which on Tuesday topped 1,000 for the first time since late August, reached 1,100 on Wednesday, with 254 in intensive-care beds.
Meanwhile, seven-day rolling averages for Arizona for new daily cases, daily deaths and testing positivity increased over the past two weeks, according to Johns Hopkins University data analyzed by The Associated Press.,
The rolling average for daily new cases went from 897 on Oct. 21 to 1,353 on Wednesday while the average for daily deaths rose from 11.7 to 22 and the average for testing positivity grew from 9.2% to 11.7%.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death. The vast majority of people recover.
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