Virus case count surges as 40 new Arizona deaths reported

Arizona officials reported nearly 1,000 new coronavirus cases Wednesday as a recent surge in hospitalizations continued unabated.

The state Department of Health Services on Wednesday also reported 40 new deaths. bringing the total who have died of the disease in Arizona to 981. Hospitals reported a total of 1,092 people were being treated for the virus as of Tuesday, with 379 of those in intensive care and 239 on ventilators.

The daily hospitalization number exceeded 1,000 for the first time on Monday and increased by 83 on Tuesday. The agency has been disclosing hospitalization data since April 9.