Arizona hospital leaders are increasingly concerned as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to increase across the state. The number of Arizonans in hospital intensive care units with COVID-19 has climbed nearly 30% just since last week.

Dr. Michael White, chief clinical officer with Valleywise Health, told reporters Thursday that this outbreak has largely been among unvaccinated individuals. 

"I will tell you today within Valleywise Health, none of our patients that are acutely ill were vaccinated," White said.

The Arizona Department of Health Services reports 99% of COVID-19 deaths in the state since January have been among unvaccinated Arizonans. 

White is encouraging all Arizonans to get vaccinated.

“We do not need to see another large spike within our communities of this disease when we have this tool available," White said. 

Arizona’s vaccination rate remains below the national average and the rate of new cases is above the national average. The state has added more than 1,000 new cases nearly every day this week.