Arizona continues to see increases in COVID-19 cases, as is happening elsewhere in the country.
Wednesday’s weekly update to the ADHS COVID-19 Data Dashboard adds 11,498 cases, of which 10,359 were reported during the week of May 15. The dashboard added 40 new deaths.
This continued gradual increase in cases, which isn’t straining our health care system at this time, comes as the Omicron BA.2.12.1 subvariant now accounts for an increasing proportion of sequenced samples from COVID-19 patients in Arizona and across the country.
COVID-19 vaccines continue offering robust protection against severe illness and death, and it pays to update your protection with a safe and highly effective booster dose. Hospitalizations and deaths continue to be most prevalent among those ages 65 and older, whose immune systems weaken with age. However, members of other age ranges can and do have severe outcomes.
If you aren’t already boosted, this is a good time to change that. The same goes for those who have yet to be vaccinated at all.
According to our latest report on COVID-19 outcomes by vaccination status, during April those 12 and older who were fully vaccinated and had a booster dose were nine times less likely to be hospitalized and 11.9 times less likely to die from COVID-19 compared to those who weren’t vaccinated. Those vaccinated without a booster were 7.1 times less likely to be hospitalized and 8.7 times less likely to die.
Boosters are recommended for everyone ages 5 and older. If you are age 50 or older or have a compromised immune system, you’re recommended for a second booster dose at least four months after your first booster to make sure your immune system is up to date. Please visit one of the hundreds of convenient providers throughout Arizona and take advantage of the protection offered by COVID-19 vaccines.
Learn other ways to protect yourself against COVID-19 at azhealth.gov/COVID19.
