KJZZ is a service of Rio Salado College,
and Maricopa Community Colleges

Copyright © 2024 KJZZ/Rio Salado College/MCCCD
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Arizona Surpasses 1 Million COVID-19 Cases

Arizona has now recorded more than 1 million cases of COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. The grim milestone comes as hospitalizations in the state continue to climb.

Nationwide, about one in every 10 people has now had COVID-19, but in Arizona the rate is at least one in seven. Medical experts believe the official number is likely an undercount.

Dr. Josh LaBaer with ASU’s Biodesign Institute told reporters Wednesday as Arizona's third wave of cases continues, the state should be testing more of its population to manage the outbreak. He also said more Arizonans need to get vaccinated.

“Overall, if our community were highly vaccinated, we would not have this current surge," LaBaer said. 

Just 47% of Arizonans are fully vaccinated; the national average is about 51%. The state has recently been reporting about 3,000 cases per day. The daily average caseload grew by 500% over the past two months.

Get The Latest News On COVID-19 In Arizona

Katherine Davis-Young is a senior field correspondent reporting on a variety of issues, including public health and climate change.