AZ Coronavirus: Cases Exceed 120,000; Expanded Testing Planned

PHOENIX, AZ — Arizona's total coronavirus cases has passed the 120,000-mark Monday, while state health officials reported record-highs for usage of ICU beds and ventilators. The state reported added another 1,357 cases.

To date, the state has confirmed a total 123,824 coronavirus cases and 2,245 coronavirus-related deaths, including eight new deaths reported Monday. While the number of cases is fewer than those reported seen in recent days — on Saturday, for instance, Arizona reported 3,038 confirmed cases — the pressure is still being felt in hospitals.

In intensive care units, bed usage for COVID-19 patients crept up to an all-time high of 936 beds on Monday, accounting for more than half the state's total capacity of 1,674. In total, taking into account both coronavirus cases and other patients, Arizona's hospital ICU beds are currently 90 percent filled.

Meanwhile, ventilator use has spiked to a record-high of 671, up 40 from the previous day.

The increase in cases has outpaced the state's testing capacity. Last week, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced a new saliva test offered through a partnership with Arizona State University; those tests, which are offered for free, will be available starting July 14 at Phoenix's Ak-Chin Pavilion for people older than eight.

In a tweet Monday, the Arizona department of health shared an agency code "jdzkkww6" for pre-registration for those interested in getting testing. More details can be found on the department website.

In a separate effort, Sonora Quest Laboratories is rolling out a plan called "Operation Catapult" to increase the state's testing capacity.

In an interview with KTAR News, Sonora Quest Laboratories COO Sonya Engle said its goal is to conduct "60,000 tests per day by the end of August." Reaching that number would represent a significant leap for Arizona — On Monday, health officials reported adding just 7,514 tests.