COVID cases are spiking in Arizona

The dreaded COVID summer surge has arrived in Arizona.

Why it matters: Though the disease isn't as deadly as it was before vaccines were available, it's still dangerous for vulnerable individuals.

• Last week's July Fourth gatherings and travel, coupled with oppressive heat that's keeping people indoors, were expected to spread more infections.

By the numbers: Arizona Department of Health Services reported 2,614 cases during the last week of June, the latest data available. That's a 78% increase from the previous month.

• More than 1,681 of those cases were reported in Maricopa County, an 81% spike.

Reality check: Arizona's still way below the three-year average of 7,811 cases for this time of year.

Zoom out: Cases are growing or likely growing in 39 states, and don't appear to be declining in any state, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data . Arizona's status is "stable or uncertain."

• Hospitalizations and deaths remain low.
• The KP.3 and KP.2 strains, descendants of the highly contagious JN.1 variant and among the so-called FLiRT variants , account for more than half of infections, according to CDC data .

What to watch: The CDC recently recommended that everyone ages 6 months and older get the updated COVID vaccine this fall, regardless of whether they've been vaccinated before.

• Maricopa County Department of Public Health spokesperson Sonia Singh told Axios individuals ages 65 and older can talk to their doctor about getting a booster even sooner.

What we're watching: Singh said losing sense of taste and smell are no longer common symptoms, making it difficult to differentiate between COVID and other viruses that also cause the more common symptoms of fever, congestion, sore throat and fatigue.