COVID-19 hospitalizations are climbing again in Arizona

PHOENIX (KYMA, KECY) - State officials said COVID hospitalizations are once again rising.

State officials said there are 601 new coronavirus cases and seven more deaths. According to the coronavirus dashboard, the new cases bring the state's total to 866,623 and 17,367 deaths.

As of Wednesday, 672 COVID patients are hospitalized, which is the highest number since March. However, still below the pandemic's peak of 5,082 on January 11.

The coronavirus dashboard reports hospitalizations have been above 600 for a week now. In April, the numbers were between 500 and 600. As for deaths, they have dropped from 15.3 to 11.4 during the same period, according to the Johns Hopkins University data.

For the latest coronavirus cases and vaccines in the desert southwest, click here.