COVID metrics plummet, Coconino County still at high community level | Local

Both community-level indicators fell this week but remained in the same categories. New COVID admissions per 100,000 are in the high category at a rate of 16.8 per 100,000 (compared to 17.5 the previous week) and 6.6% of inpatient beds are occupied by COVID patients compared to 8, 8% – which is at an average level.

A total of 404 new cases were reported in the county this week, down from last week’s total of 507 (a rate of 355.3 per 100,000). The current case rate is 283.1 per 100,000, still above the 200 per 100,000 threshold for the adjusted community indicators.

The positivity percentage continued to rise this week, however, to a rate of 29.9% from 28.3% the previous week. Fewer tests were carried out this week (1,711 compared to 2,070 the previous week).

Hospitalizations were similar to the previous week (22 this week compared to 21 last week), with the incidence of COVID-like illnesses figures in county hospitals falling to 9% compared to 11.1%. No COVID deaths have been reported this week; there were two the previous week.

Residents 65 and older had the highest case rate for the week (371 per 100,000), while those ages 18 to 24 had the highest positivity rate (36.3%).

TGen’s Arizona COVID-19 Sequencing Dashboard reports that BA.5 continues to be the most prevalent subvariant in Arizona (53.7%) and Coconino County (65.38%). In Coconino County, BA.5 is followed by BA.2.12.1 (23.08%), BA.4 (7.69%), and BA.2 (3.85%).

After two weeks of rising vaccination rates, with a higher share of first doses, the number of COVID vaccines given has fallen this week. Across Coconino County, 59.5% of the eligible population was fully immunized, of which 53% received a booster or supplemental dose. In Flagstaff, 46.8% of the population ages 5 and older is up to date on their COVID vaccinations.

According to Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) data from May 2022, unvaccinated Arizonans ages 12 and older were eight times more likely than fully vaccinated people (including booster) to be hospitalized for COVID, and 21 times more likely to die from the disease. Unvaccinated people were 6.6 times more likely to be hospitalized and 15 times more likely to die from COVID than fully vaccinated Arizonans without a booster.

Premier Medical Group (PMG) has opened a new COVID testing site at Coconino Community College‘s Lone Tree Campus, located at 2800 S. Lone Tree Road. Tests are offered without an appointment on Fridays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 19-Test information.

Information about COVID in Coconino County is available at coconino.az.gov/2294/COVID-19-Information.