Arizona officials hold COVID-19 briefing on hospital capacity

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PHOENIX – On November 23, Arizona reported more than 3,000 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 120 additional deaths amid growing concern over the current outbreak of the pandemic and its impact on the hospital system. State.

Gov. COVID-19 Advisor Doug Ducey and hospital chiefs briefed Tuesday afternoon on “how the Arizonans can help preserve hospital capacity during the holiday season.”

Hospitalizations related to the virus continue to increase, with 2,551 COVID-19 patients occupying hospital rooms on Monday. That’s about half of the number of hospitalizations for the virus during the peak of the outbreak last winter, but currently there is little capacity available statewide as many hospitals also support a large number of non-COVID patients.

“We also treat COVID patients who stay in our intensive care unit for a long time, and they prevent us from taking care of all the other patients,” said Dr. Alyssa Chapital, medical director of Mayo Clinic in Arizona.

“If COVID weren’t there, we might be able to cope because every year around this time we see an increase. Usually we can adapt to that, but now it’s much more difficult because COVID takes up a lot of our beds, “said Dr. Richard Carmona, the 17th Surgeon General of the United States and Advisor to Governor Doug Ducey. .

Dr Carmona said the vast majority of COVID patients are unvaccinated and he has a stern message for those who choose not to be vaccinated.

“People say ‘I’m American. You can’t tell me what to do.’ What we’re doing today is pleading with this American that it’s not about you. It’s about you, your family, the state, the nation, and the world. Because if we cannot achieve collective immunity globally, this virus will continue, “said Dr Carmona.

“We are asking everyone to do their part,” said Dr. Marjorie Bessell, Clinical Director of Banner Health. “Our nurses are tired. Our doctors are tired. Yet they all want to do their best to be there for you.”

Meanwhile, the 3,057 cases and 120 additional deaths reported on Tuesday brought the state’s pandemic total to 1,248,184 cases and 22,062 deaths, according to the state’s Coronavirus Dashboard.

However, the case report was lower than it would otherwise be “due to a reporting issue with a provider,” the Department of Health Services said on Twitter. “We expect the cases added tomorrow to be higher as a result.”

Arizona health officials are holding a press conference Nov. 23 on “How Arizona residents can help preserve hospital capacity during the holiday season.”

Arizona’s seven-day moving average for new daily Arizona cases was just under 4,000 on Sunday, down from just over 3,000 two weeks earlier, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Meanwhile, the moving average of daily deaths fell from 36.3 to 41.3 during the same period. The daily death report fluctuates widely, often peaking after low numbers early in the week due to weekend reporting delays.

MORE: Coronavirus in Arizona: Latest Case Numbers

To protect yourself from possible infection, the CDC recommends:

Avoid close contact with sick people Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth Stay home when you are sick Cover your cough or sneezing with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash Clean up and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces with a spray or regular household cleaning wipe Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when you are nearby Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Monitor your health daily

Symptoms of the COVID-19 coronavirus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. These, of course, are similar to the common cold and the flu.

Expect a cold to start with a sore or itchy throat, cough, runny nose, and / or stuffy nose. Flu symptoms are more intense and usually appear suddenly, and may include a high fever.

Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear more slowly. They usually include fever, a dry cough, and noticeable shortness of breath, according to the World Health Organization. A minority of cases develop pneumonia, and the disease is of particular concern to the elderly and those with other medical conditions such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or heart problems.

RELATED: Is It The Flu, A Cold, Or COVID-19? Different viruses have similar symptoms

To protect yourself, wash your hands well and often, keep them away from your face, and avoid crowds and people nearby.

And if you have any of these flu or coronavirus symptoms, don’t go straight to your doctor. It just risks making more people sick, officials urge. Call ahead and ask if and where you need to be seen.

More news on COVID-19 in Arizona

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