PHOENIX – Arizona hospitals are pushing back against the alarmist media reports that they are overwhelmed with patients and may be unable to handle a surge in COVID-19 cases. Representatives of the largest health systems issued a statement assuring the public that “Arizona’s network of medical care is strong stable and prepared.”
“Recently there have been local and national media reports regarding the increase in confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in Arizona and how our state is managing the COVID-19 crisis. As representatives of the largest health systems representing 80% of care provided in the state, we would like to assure the public that we have available bed capacity and surge plans are in place to continue to serve the people of Arizona. We are well prepared to manage an increase in patient volume.
In addition, the utilization of the surge line remains in effective tool and ensuring that patients are evenly distributed among hospitals in order to avoid capacity issues at any one facility. Our surge plans will also create additional capacity for patients if needed. Arizona’s network of medical care is strong stable and prepared.
We are continuing to work with Governor Ducey and state local and state, local experts and other healthcare organizations to make sure our health systems continue to effectively care and meet the needs of our communities.
The statement was issued prior to a testy news conference called by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Thursday.
“It is important that people know we are not seeing an increase in patient volume, we are prepared if that increase should come,” said Ducey in response to reports that COVID-19 cases are on the rise. “The facts are, we got an increase in testing, an increase in testing and an increase in positive test results. So we’re going to continue to stay laser-focused on COVID-19.”
According to the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) “78% of occupied inpatient beds are occupied by non-COVID related patients, with 22% of all inpatients reported by hospitals to be infected with or suspected to be infected with COVID-19.”
Dr. Cara Christ, director of the state health department, said last week that hospitals are seeing more non-COVID-19 patients, as more people are no longer as uncomfortable seeking medical care as they were during the lock down. That increase was expected following the state’s reopening.
The governor admitted that the “increase in positive tests is not the direction we want to go.” He said the increase is “a metric we will continue to watch and measure.” COVID-19 case counts have risen by 50 percent in the past 10 days.
Rep. Ruben Gallego joined some news organizations in seizing on the increase:
Arizona #COVID19 cases are trending in the wrong direction. I’m asking Governor @dougducey: what does your administration plan to do about it? pic.twitter.com/zXU64DGbVS
— Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) June 10, 2020
I’ve been in actual war and I can tell you that what we heard today was surrender. Ducey’s administration doesn’t have the courage to do what it takes to #SlowTheSpread & save lives, so they’re just giving in, but Arizonans will suffer.
— Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) June 12, 2020
Ducey urged the public to maintain social distancing to try to slow the spread.
“It is important that people have the facts,” said Ducey. “This virus is not going away. There is not a cure for this virus and there is not a vaccine for this virus. So this virus is something we need to learn to live with, and we need to make sure that we are protecting the most vulnerable in our society, and those are folks at a certain age bracket with underlying health conditions and at-risk conditions. We are going to continue to do that every single day until there is a vaccine.”