AZ Pandemic in Numbers for the Week Ending Feb 27

 

Here are Arizona pandemic numbers for the week ending February:

For the first time since January 30, we have a red number in the table, albeit just a slight increase in the seven-day average of positive tests. 

This in itself wouldn't be worrisome. As discussed in an earlier post, positive test data is based on a self-selected sample and tests are not done in high enough numbers to give an accurate picture of infections.  Also as mentioned previously, the reporting procedures for these test results are questionable.

But in addition this small uptick in positive tests, the CDC has expressed concern that the downward trend in cases may be stalling. The four week trend in Maricopa County new cases (from the  ASU Biodesign dashboard) backs this up:

Over the last week the numbers have crept down slightly, but the trajectory obviously changed on the 19th.

In another bit of less-than-great news, Arizona had a smaller increase in shots-in-arms over the past week.  Here's the accelerometer:

Keep in mind that this is a graph of change from last week, so there was still an increase in the percentages vaccinated over the last week. It is not just not as big as the previous week.  Hopefully the deceleration is due to the recent bad weather limiting vaccine shipments and not a decrease in effort.

Top Image by Shutterbug75 from Pixabay

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