PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona's death toll from the coronavirus pandemic surpassed 7,000 on Wednesday as the state reported more than 100 additional deaths from the virus.

The state reported 4,444 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 108 additional deaths, increasing the state's known totals to 382,601 cases and 7,081 deaths.

The number of COVID-19 infections is thought to be far higher than reported because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.

Department of Health Services spokeswoman Holly Poynter said 80 of the 108 deaths were newly attributed to COVID-19 based on reviews of past death certificates.

The results of such periodic reviews of death certificates produce larger than normal daily reports of deaths.

According to the state's coronavirus dashboard, COVID-19-related hospitalizations as of Tuesday reached 3,287, up 130 from Monday and included 766 patients in intensive care unit beds.

The dashboard indicated that 10% of both hospital beds and ICU beds in hospitals statewide were vacant, with COVID-19 patients occupying 44% of the ICU beds and non-COVID patients in 46% of them.

Hospital officials and public health experts have warned that the current surge could exceed Arizona's health system’s capacity.

At Arizona's largest hospital chain, people with COVID-19 now represent more than a third of patients, said Dr. Marjorie Bessel, chief clinical officer for Banner Health. She pleaded with people to wear masks and limit the number of people they see in person.

“Please consciously think about your circle and keep it as small as possible,” Bessel said. “You can be part of our mitigation efforts.”

Banner's latest projections show it will reach its licensed capacity on Dec. 15 and will hit 125% of capacity three days later.

She anticipates hospitals will at some point adopt crisis standards of care, such as increasing the number of patients per nurse and doctor and reducing documentation.

Health officials warn that overcrowding with COVID-19 patients will affect everyone who needs medical care by limiting the staff, space and equipment available for unrelated needs like heart attacks and cancer surgeries.

“It's not just the people who get COVID-19 who are going to be impacted,” said Joshua LaBaer, executive director of the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University. “People with other medical illnesses are going to be impacted.”

In southern Arizona, Pima County officials issued a public health advisory Wednesday saying “COVID-19 transmission is high and hospitals are at capacity.”

Of the 4,444 new cases reported Wednesday around Arizona, 721 were in Pima County which includes Tucson.

Tucson Medical Center nurses sent out a letter to the community asking them to help slow the spread of the virus by wearing masks, washing hands, staying home as much as possible and remaining physically distant from other people.

Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, has imposed restrictions that closed some establishments and required distancing and other precautions to stop the spread of the coronavirus.

But he hasn’t ordered a statewide mask mandate, a new stay-home requirement, or curfews although many local governments have imposed masking requirements and a few have ordered curfews.

Meanwhile Wednesday, Arizona health officials said the state is expected to receive at least 383,750 COVID-19 vaccine doses by the end of this month.

The first shipment is expected to arrive sometime next week with the distribution plan prioritizing health care workers, residents of long-term care facilities, educators and vulnerable populations.

Maricopa County will initially get about 47,000 doses and Pima County about 11,000 doses.

In the following week, doses will be distributed to all 15 counties, at least four tribes and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Pharmacy Partnership program for vaccination at skilled nursing facilities.

Health officials hope to significantly expand access to the COVID-19 vaccine in early 2021. The federal government will distribute the vaccine to states based on population.

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Associated Press writer Jonathan J. Cooper in Phoenix contributed to this report.

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