Has this COVID surge peaked? ASU expert weighs in - ABC15 Arizona

Despite a recent downturn reported in some COVID-19 hospitalization metrics, an Arizona State University expert is warning the state may yet to see the peak of this surge.

LaBaer said their forecasting models have pointed to the end of January or early February as a key time for this surge.

LaBaer said it could surpass cancer and heart disease as the leading cause of death in a 12-month timeframe.

Indeed, according to information from the Arizona Department of Health Services, heart disease was the leading cause of death in Arizona in 2017, accounting for 12,285 deaths.