KJZZ

As COVID-19 cases surge in Arizona, some hospitals around the Phoenix area are seeing an increase in patients.

“This virus continues to circulate, and it’s circulating more within the community. We also, in tandem with that, have seen a slight increase in the number of people that we have in the hospital than we have had previously,” said Dr. Michael White, chief clinical officer of Valleywise Health.

White says the test positivity rate at Valleywise has also risen.

“Our percent positivity rate has increased, back up into the high teens, low 20s, of the tests that we run have been positive for COVID-19,” said White.

He recommends taking steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, like wearing a mask and getting a booster vaccine if you haven’t already.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's transmission levels say that 11 of 15 Arizona counties are at a “high” community transmission rate. That includes Maricopa County.

The CDC recommends that everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks indoors in counties with high transmission rates.