Arizona reports 2,795 more COVID-19 cases, reduces death total

COVID-19 vaccine mandates could hurt already short-staffed Phoenix hospitals

Staffing shortages might get worse in Phoenix hospitals as COVID-19 vaccine mandates begin to take effect.

PHOENIX - Arizona on Thursday reported 2,795 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases and subtracted 11 deaths from its fatality count as rolling averages for additional cases and deaths increased over the past two weeks.

The new numbers changed the state’s pandemic totals to 1,159,526 cases and 21,033 deaths, the Department of Health Service’s coronavirus dashboard reported.

The subtraction of 11 deaths was due to "a low number of additions and routine data cleaning," the department said.

According to Johns Hopkins University data, the seven-day rolling average of daily new cases rose from 2,268.4 on Oct. 12 to 2,443.43 as of Tuesday while the rolling average of daily deaths rose from 33.8 to 54 during the same period.

The state’s dashboard also reported that virus-related hospitalizations remained on a 2-week-old plateau, with 1,714 COVID-19 patients occupying hospital inpatient beds as of Wednesday.

MORE: Coronavirus in Arizona: Latest case numbers

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

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.