New COVID-19 data released by the Arizona Department of Health Services breaks down cases by ZIP codes, race and ethnicity, although the data is incomplete in some areas.

The state produced a map that indicated Scottsdale and Tucson are seeing many cases, as are the areas around Flagstaff and Page in northern Arizona. However, health officials left out information that would pinpoint outbreak locations, according to the Arizona Republic.

The data also is incomplete when it comes to race and ethnicity. The state said race or ethnicity was unknown for 63% of patients who tested for the novel coronavirus and for 49% of people who died of COVID-19.

But the data does show that Native Americans, men and people 65 or older make up a high percentage of Arizona’s COVID-19 related deaths.

Out of 11,040 deaths in Arizona as of Jan. 15, 2021, 8,222 have been people 65 and older, and 58% of COVID-19 related deaths have been men, the Department of Health Services reported.

However, American Indian and Alaska Natives, who make up 5.3% of Arizona’s population according to the census, have had 16% of COVID-19 deaths in the state, health officials said.

In terms of ventilators, the state has 1,195 available and 366 in use. Arizona has 2,998 inpatient beds available and 4,489 are in use. In addition, the state has 996 intensive-care beds available and 999 are in use.

Cronkite News reached out to the Arizona Department of Health Services for comment but did not receive a response before the deadline.

As of Jan. 15, 2021,, the Arizona Department of Health Services reported 658,186 cases of COVID-19 in Arizona, and 11,040 deaths.

State officials reported that reliance on ventilators was down, with 963 of the state’s available ventilators – or nearly half – being used by COVID-19 patients, leaving nearly 1,000 unused. The last time Arizona had more ventilators on standby than in use was on July 11, when 51% were available.

It said 3,576,844 tests for COVID-19 have been completed in public and private labs in Arizona as of Jan. 15, 2021, and results were positive in 13.6 percent of the tests.

 

Story by Jonmaesha Beltran and Caroline Linch, Cronkite News