Captain Jeff Stieber of the Mesa Fire Department receives the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19 at the Arizona Department of Health Services State Laboratory from nurse Machrina Leach, Wednesday, December 16, 2020 in Phoenix. (AP Photo / Ross D. Franklin)
This is a regularly updated story with the latest information about the coronavirus and its impact in Arizona and beyond for December 18, 2020.
PHOENIX – Health officials in Arizona reported 7,635 new coronavirus cases and 142 additional deaths Friday, while state hospitals remained full.
It was the third consecutive day with at least 100 reported deaths. Until Thursday there were never days in a row in triple digits.
The state’s documented totals rose to 442,671 COVID-19 infections and 7,819 fatalities, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services.
As the vaccine rollout began this week, multiple COVID-19 statistics in Arizona were at or nearing the highest levels of the pandemic.
The number of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 hospital patients in Arizona was 3,931 Thursday, the seventh consecutive record day.
The number of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients in Arizona in ICU beds was 915, the highest number since July 16, nearing the July 13 record of 970.
Statewide, suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients occupied a record high of 46% of all hospital beds, as well as 52% of all ICU beds.
In total, 93% of the hospital beds were filled, which is in line with the previous day’s record, and IC beds were also 93% filled, a new record. The number of remaining hospital beds (618) and IC beds (128) were both at record lows before the pandemic.
Arizona’s weekly percent positivity for COVID-19 diagnostic tests, an indicator of how much the virus is spreading in the community, is showing signs of flattening.
After 63,019 tests this week, the positivity rate was 17%. The rate, which was 18% for the previous two weeks, peaked at 21% at the end of June.
Official positivity rates are based on when the samples are taken, not when they are reported, so the rate for the past few weeks may fluctuate as labs are testing and the results are documented by the state.
The seven-day moving average for the health department’s newly reported cases was 6,786.71 for Thursday, the second-highest ever, according to tracking by The Associated Press.
The seven-day average of newly reported deaths has risen sharply this month. It was 74.71 for Thursday, tripling since December 1 to its highest level since August 2. The weekly death average peaked at 94 on July 30.
The Arizona Health Department’s Daily Reports present case, death, and testing data after the state receives and confirms statistics, which may lag several days or more. They do not reflect actual activity for the past 24 hours.
The hospital admission data posted each morning is electronically reported the night before by 100 hospitals across the state as required under executive order.
COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, does not affect some people and is severely disabling or fatal to others. Infected people without symptoms – including but not limited to a cough, fever, and difficulty breathing – can spread the virus.
Information on test sites can be found on the website of the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Below are Friday’s latest developments regarding the coronavirus pandemic from around the state, country and world:
- Dr. Will Humble, former director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, said KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Gaydos and Chad that the emergency permit of more coronavirus vaccines will help the state to vaccinate more people faster.
- Three Valley firefighters were among the first Arizonans to receive the coronavirus vaccine and hope other frontline workers will roll up their sleeves.
- Dr. Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, says Arizonans are safer this vacation at home as coronavirus cases increase.
- Vice President Mike Pence was vaccinated against COVID-19 during a live television event to reassure Americans that the vaccine is safe.
- According to research from Johns Hopkins University, there were approximately 75.13 million COVID-19 cases and 1.66 million deaths on Friday morning worldwide. The figures for the US were about 17.21 million cases and 310,000 deaths.