New COVID-19 cases jumped by 1,391 Tuesday, driving the state’s 7-day average of daily new cases up to 1,013.71 from Monday’s peak of 815.

Over the past two weeks, the state has averaged 786.64 new cases per day. Monday that number was 687.29. On July 5, it was 121.

The rising numbers reflect the spread of the Delta variant of the COVID virus, which is stronger and more contagious than the original, and continuing low vaccination rates in the state. The Fourth of July holiday also was two weeks ago, and gatherings or parties to celebrate could be contributing to the spread.

The state so far has had 562,311 cases of COVID-19, and 11,460 people have died of the disease since the pandemic began here in March 2020.

Deaths also have been driven up recently. Tuesday’s report showed another 26 people had died in a day, bringing total deaths to 11,460. The 7-day average of deaths has risen to 8.29.

Hospitalizations have increased even more. As of Tuesday, 554 people in the state were hospitalized with COVID or its lingering effects. Monday, that number was 469. The low point of hospitalizations this month came on July 3, when 179 people were hospitalized.

Cases also were climbing in Monday’s report from the ADPH, which showed a daily count almost seven times higher than it was on July 5.