Arizona reports 1,310 additional coronavirus cases, 43 deaths

Latest coronavirus numbers in Arizona - 2/24/21

PHOENIX - Arizona officials on Feb. 24 reported 1,310 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and 43 deaths as coronavirus-related hospitalizations and seven-day rolling averages for daily new cases and daily deaths continued to drop.

The latest figures reported by the state Department of Health Services increased Arizona’s pandemic totals to 811,968 cases and 15,693 deaths.

According to data from The COVID-Tracking Project, the rolling average of daily new cases declined over the past two weeks, dropping from 3,169.3 on Feb. 9 to 1,559.7 on Tuesday while the rolling average of daily deaths dropped from 132 to 112.

Hospitalizations also continue to drop, with the state’s coronavirus dashboard reporting 1,449 COVID-19 patients occupying inpatient beds as of Tuesday, down from the pandemic peak of 5,082 on Jan. 11.

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.

In other developments:

— The CVS pharmacy chain said it will on Thursday begin providing coronavirus vaccinations by appointment to eligible populations at eight locations in Arizona under a federal program.

The eight stores are in Apache Junction, Bullhead City, Chandler, Laveen, Phoenix, Surprise, Tucson and Yuma, KSAZ-TV reported.

More CVS locations are expected to open for coronavirus vaccines as more supply is made available.

— Flagstaff plans on March 1 to resume paid parking enforcement that was suspended in early 2020 because of the pandemic.

There will be shortened hours of enforcement, but city officials said parking management is needed to support a vibrant downtown area, the Arizona Daily Sun reported.

"With unmanaged parking all day long, we have seen parking become stagnant, and once again there is a need for management. The lack of parking is currently a deterrent for customers looking to support downtown business," Community Investment Director David McIntire said.

Financial tips for the COVID-19 pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic is impacting everyone differently. Here are some helpful tips to keep you financially stable during this difficult time.

In order to protect yourself from a possible infection, the CDC recommends:

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Monitor your health daily

MAP: Worldwide interactive Coronavirus case data

MAP: Arizona Coronavirus cases by zip code

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CDC: How coronavirus spreads, symptoms, prevention, treatment, FAQ

Arizona COVID-19 resources, FAQ: azdhs.gov/coronavirus

On CoronavirusNOW.com, you'll find extensive coverage about COVID-19, including breaking news from around the country, exclusive interviews with health officials, and informative content from a variety of public health resources.

Symptoms for coronavirus COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. These, of course, are similar to the common cold and flu.

Expect a common cold to start out with a sore or scratchy throat, cough, runny and/or stuffy nose. Flu symptoms are more intense and usually come on suddenly, and can include a high fever.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear more slowly. They usually include fever, a dry cough and noticeable shortness of breath, according to the World Health Organization. A minority of cases develop pneumonia, and the disease is especially worrisome for the elderly and those with other medical problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or heart conditions.

To protect yourself, wash your hands well and often, keep them away from your face, and avoid crowds and standing close to people.

And if you do find yourself showing any of these flu or coronavirus symptoms - don't go straight to your doctor's office. That just risks making more people sick, officials urge. Call ahead, and ask if you need to be seen and where.

Continuing Coverage

FOX 10 is working to keep you up to date with local and national developments on COVID-19. Every weekday on FOX News Now, our live coverage begins at 7 a.m. MST reporting the latest news, prevention tips and treatment information.

You can watch live in your FOX 10 News app or on the FOX 10 Facebook page.

You can also get the latest coronavirus news from around the country at coronavirusnow.com.