COVID-19 transmission remains high in Arizona. The state reported 20,198 cases and 57 deaths in its weekly update Wednesday.
The Arizona Department of Health Services said at least 3,500 of the infections it reported this week actually occurred in previous weeks, but were added now due to reporting delays.
Cases this week actually decreased slightly from the previous week when the delayed reports are taken into account, interim department director Don Herrington wrote in a Wednesday blog post.
Even so, other measures of COVID-19 spread remain high. The positivity rate among tests performed in the state this week climbed to 28%. That’s approaching the all-time pandemic record of 34% set in January.
Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows about 4.5% of the state’s ICU beds are now occupied by COVID patients. That’s much lower than in previous surges, but that occupancy rate has been creeping upward for weeks.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention this week said nine of Arizona's 15 counties had moved into the "high" category for community transmission.
Dr. Nick Staab, an epidemiologist with Maricopa County Public Health, told KJZZ’s The Show it’s important for Arizonans to wear masks in public indoor settings right now. But he said Arizonans also need to do better staying up-to-date on vaccines.
“We really appreciate everyone who went out and got that primary series. But because we know that immunity from vaccination wanes over time, we really do need to go and get that booster if you have not yet and you are eligible,” Staab said.
Just 44% of eligible Arizonans have received a booster dose so far, according to the CDC.
