Arizona reports over 5K COVID-19 cases for 2nd straight day

PHOENIX – Arizona on Friday reported more than 5,000 new known COVID-19 cases for the second straight day as the current surge’s growing number of hospitalizations reduced the number of available intensive care unit beds below 10% statewide.

The Department of Health Services reported 5,680 additional known cases and additional 64 deaths, increasing the state’s totals to 352,101 cases and 6,885 deaths.

Arizona on Thursday had reported 5,442 cases, which for 24 hours was the highest number of deaths reported in one day during the pandemic — except for the record 10,322 cases reported Tuesday, which officials say was inflated by holiday weekend reporting delays.

Arizona’s cases, deaths and hospitalizations already were steadily rising before Thanksgiving, when health officials said gatherings and travel were expected to further spread the coronavirus.

The state’s coronavirus dashboard said only 9% of ICU beds were available Thursday as the share of ICU beds used by COVID-19 patients reached 38%.

Hospital officials have said the outbreak will exceed hospital capacity this month.

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.