Coronavirus In AZ: 11,658 Cases, 197 Deaths

ARIZONA — Arizona, beset by the worst coronavirus diagnosis rate in the U.S., reported over 11,000 additional known cases and nearly 200 more deaths on Friday.

According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, the state reported 11,658 additional cases and 197 deaths, bringing the pandemic totals to 596,251 cases and 9,938 deaths.

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.

Arizona had one person of every 115 people diagnosed with COVID-19 from Dec. 30 to Wednesday, a rate obtained by dividing a state’s population by the number of additional cases.

With the surge stressing Arizona hospitals, 4,907 COVID-19 patients occupied inpatient beds on Thursday, including a pandemic record 1,122 in intensive care beds, according to the state’s coronavirus dashboard. Several hospitals have temporarily paused elective procedures to help lessen the strain on staff and resources.

Arizona’s vaccination program is beginning to enter Phase 1B in several counties, newly offering shots to police, teachers, child care workers and people 75 or older. Apache, Gila and Pinal Counties are already vaccinating people in the second phase of the program, with Maricopa County beginning Phase 1B registration on Monday.

Those eligible in the first phase that began last month included health care workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities.

As of Thursday, Arizona has administered 113,993 doses of the vaccine throughout the state. The state was given 314,750 vaccines, with more on the way this week.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has declined to introduce any new mitigation efforts as the virus continues to spread.

But the governor announced Friday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention would be allocating $65 million to support Arizona's vaccine clinics and increase community engagement.

"We want to get Arizonans vaccinated as quickly, safely and efficiently as possible," he said. "There’s no time to waste."