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FACT BRIEF

Has Arizona experienced a summer spike in COVID-19 cases?

By Carmela Guaglianone
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YES

Arizona has experienced a sustained uptick in reported COVID-19 cases, from fewer than 1,000 cases the first week of May to nearly 3,500 for the first week of August. Summer surges are not uncommon, as infections tend to follow seasonal patterns.

Rates of positive tests, emergency room visits and hospitalizations associated with COVID-19 have been elevated across much of the country during the summer months. Virus levels in wastewater have also been up, particularly across the western United States.

In May, the Food and Drug Administration updated its advice to manufacturers of COVID-19 vaccines to better target the most prominently circulating strains of the virus, like the KP.3 variant. The variant is bringing on common cold and flu-like symptoms, including fever or chills, cough and shortness of breath.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Arizona Department of Health Services Arizona Weekly COVID-19 Surveillance Report
Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 Current Wastewater Viral Activity Levels Map
Centers for Disease Control Wastewater COVID-19 State and Territory Trends
Food and Drug Administration FDA Roundup: June 14, 2024
Centers for Disease Control COVID-19 can surge throughout the year
The Arizona Republic COVID-19 cases are rising in Arizona. Here's what you should know
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting
The Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting is the state’s only independent, nonpartisan and collaborative nonprofit newsroom dedicated to statewide, data-driven investigative reporting. AZCIR's mission is to hold powerful people and institutions accountable by exposing injustice and systemic inequities through investigative journalism.
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Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.