By Alison Steinbach | Arizona Republic
Known Arizona deaths from COVID-19 cracked 1,000 for the first time on June 5, less than three months after the state announced the first known death. Arizona Republic
Arizona reported a record-high 2,392 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday and hospitals reported record numbers of patients as the state continues to grapple with a relentless increase in coronavirus spread.
Inpatient beds for patients with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 hit a record number Monday, with 1,506 inpatients, according to hospital data reported to the state and posted on its website Tuesday.
ICU beds in use, ventilators in use and emergency department visits for COVID-19 all reached record levels Monday as well.
Tuesday marks the first time the state has reported more than 2,000 new cases in a single day, per state data. Previously, the record was 1,654 new cases reported on June 12.
The state has seen more than two weeks of high numbers of reported cases, deaths and hospitalizations. More than 1,000 new cases have been reported on 11 of the past 15 days, including on the past seven days.
Twenty-five deaths were reported Monday.
In a briefing last week, Gov. Doug Ducey focused on hospital capacity — saying that although positive COVID-19 cases have been increasing, Arizona’s hospitals are prepared to handle more patients.
Ducey said concern about hospitals was “misinformation” and that Arizona hospitals are doing fine.
Arizona’s sharp uptick during the past two to three weeks, particularly the spikes in positive cases, has raised questions and alarm locally and nationally about whether the state has done enough to slow the spread and what other precautions may be necessary.
Ducey’s stay-at-home order expired just over a month ago.
Here’s what you need to know about Tuesday’s new numbers.
