TOPLINE
Since Arizona lifted its stay-at-home order on May 15, coronavirus cases have increased 115%, reaching record highs and leading officials to call on hospitals to “fully activate” their emergency plans as intensive care units reach capacity.
A patient is taken to the emergency room of a hospital in the Navajo Nation town of Tuba City during … [+]
MARK RALSTON/AFP via Getty Images
KEY FACTS
Ventilated Covid-19 patients in Arizona have increased by 400% since reopening, according to Banner Health, Arizona’s largest medical network, who warned its ICU facilities are approaching capacity.
76% of the state’s ICU beds were occupied as of Monday, according to CNN.
The state health director instructed hospitals on June 6 to “fully activate” their emergency plans, meaning they should increase ICU capacity by 50%, suspend elective surgeries and staff medical volunteers, among other things.
A former state health chief warned the state may need to implement new social distancing measures or build field hospitals, according to Reuters.
“Alarming” is how Dr. William Hanage, an epidemiology professor at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, characterized Arizona’s situation to AZ Central. “The only sort of crumb of comfort that I can find is that I think, in general, it’s sort of easier to social distance in Arizona than it is in some places.”
Big Number
28,396. That’s the number of Arizona Covid-19 cases, 1,074 of which have been fatal, per New York Times data.
Crucial Quote
“He’s going to have to either A) implement a field hospital plan, B) do another stay-at-home order, or C) both,” Will Humble, former Arizona health chief, told Reuters about what Gov. Doug Ducey must do to control the disease spread.
Key Background
Coronavirus is on the rise in 19 states, and decreasing in 24 states. Experts warn there may be another peak in cases due to the cohort of people congregating in public places—which includes the racial justice protests occurring across the country. North Carolina is also experiencing a record-breaking number of hospitalizations with 37,226 cases and 1,068 deaths, and is urging anyone who attended a protest to get tested for the disease regardless of whether or not they are experiencing symptoms. And further down south, new cases have risen in Montgomery, Alabama, by over 500% since the beginning of May, causing full occupancy in area hospital ICU beds.
Further Reading
Coronavirus Cases Have Risen Over 500% In Alabama’s Capital Since The Start Of May: Report (Forbes)
Arizona COVID-19 spread is increasing and action is needed, experts warn (AZ Central)
FTC Warns 16 Multi-Level Marketing Companies About Coronavirus Fraud (Forbes)
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