PHOENIX (AP) - Arizona is reporting a daily number of new coronavirus cases below 1,000 for the first time in months alongside no new deaths.
State health officials on Monday reported 783 new known cases of the virus. With that latest figure, the state’s pandemic totals are 827,237 known cases and 16,328 deaths.
More than 2 million COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered in Arizona with more than 711,000 people having received the recommended two doses.
The number of confirmed or suspected hospitalized coronavirus patients statewide dipped to 919, the fewest since Nov. 1. The number of ICU beds used by COVID-19 patients fell to 256, the lowest since Nov. 6.
In Sunday’s update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arizona ranked seventh in the nation for coronavirus deaths per capita over the last seven days and 19th in cases.
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.
In other developments:
-The University of Arizona will hold a series of smaller, in-person commencement ceremonies this spring. University President Robert Robbins said the school is planning several pared-down ceremonies May 11-18 where only the graduates would have the option of attending. They will be livestreamed and recorded for family and friends.
Like most campuses nationwide, the university canceled graduation festivities last year because of the pandemic. Robbins says organizers are encouraged by the positivity test rate on campus staying below 1%. He also anticipates most faculty and students will all be vaccinated in the coming months.
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