Illustration of coronavirus structure.
Arizona health officials reported 2,289 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday and 11 new deaths.
The latest figures bring the pandemic death toll in Arizona to 18,300 and the total number of cases to 937,936.
The number of virus-related hospitalizations has been on the rise, too, reaching 1,266 on Wednesday. That is the highest level since late February.
Only about 47% of Arizona's population is fully vaccinated.
COVID-19 transmission is high in most Arizona counties, including in Pima County, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The rising number of cases and new guidance from the CDC last week has prompted a growing number of school districts to require masks on campuses across the state as students return to class.
The board of Tucson Unified School District voted Wednesday to require masks in all of its facilities. Several districts in Phoenix have taken similar steps. Some private schools, including Salpointe Catholic High School in Tucson, are also requiring masks indoors.
Public schools adopting mask requirements are confronting a new state law banning such policies.
A biology teacher in Phoenix Union High School District filed a lawsuit this week asking for a temporary restraining order on the mask mandate, calling it unlawful.
But attorneys for the district argued Wednesday at a preliminary hearing that a state law banning such mandates isn’t in effect yet. They say the legislation that includes the ban doesn’t take effect until Sept. 29.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
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