ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona has resources to staff potential coronavirus alternate care sites

Jun 20, 2020, 4:35 AM

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)...

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

(AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

PHOENIX — Arizona’s top public health official says the state has multiple resources to bring in additional health professionals to staff alternate care sites for coronavirus patients if needed.

Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ told 92.3 FM The Gaydos and Chad Show on Friday that they’re working with a company that would provide the staffing, equipment and run the alternative care site.

“There are several resources where we can pull in medical-licensed volunteers,” Christ said. “We have a statewide certification registration system where we can call up doctors, nurses, respiratory techs — all types of volunteers — and we can also make federal requests.”

With hospitals running out of space for coronavirus patients, St. Luke’s Medical Center might be reopened to provide additional bed space. The formerly shuttered hospital has been on standby in case the state needed additional beds.

The total of confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients currently checked into Arizona’s hospitals increased Thursday to a high mark of 1,832, an increase of 165 over the previous day.

The increase in cases is a concern for doctors and nurses who are already stretched thin and opening another hospital to handle more coronavirus patients is raising concerns.

Banner Health has called down three nurses from Greeley, Colorado to Banner-University Medical Center in Phoenix to treat coronavirus patients.

Christ said the state can continue to see an increase in new cases for at least the next two weeks until new local measures like mask mandates start to take effect. Various municipalities, including Phoenix, instituted face-covering mandates this week for people in public depending on the city.

“It’s going to take a bit for these mitigation strategies to have an effect and start to lower the numbers, so we do anticipate continued high numbers,” Christ said.

Overall, hospital bed usage remained at a pandemic high of 85% on Thursday for the third consecutive day, and the percentage of ICU beds in use remained at a high point of 84% for the second consecutive day.

Of the state’s current cases, 21,769 are of people between the ages of 20 to 44 years old. Overall, only 31% are high risk, meaning they’re 65 years or older and have one or more chronic medical conditions.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Donald Trump Kamala Harris...

KTAR.com

Weekend Wrap: Here are the biggest Phoenix news stories from Nov. 1-3

From new Arizona polling for the Nov. 5 general election to the relocation of a mama bear and her cubs, here are some of the Valley’s top news stories from Nov. 1-3.

3 hours ago

Valley rainfall...

Aaron Schmidt

Valley gets fair share of rain, hail in stormy Sunday afternoon

The Valley got its fair share of rainy weather on Sunday, with some parts of the Valley even getting hail. The Valley should experience continued light showers until 8 p.m.

4 hours ago

Phoenix Police...

Aaron Schmidt

Phoenix man dead after late-night fatal collision

Phoenix Police responded to a call Saturday night about a collision that left one man dead in Phoenix, authorities said.

6 hours ago

Man chopping barbecue meats in downtown Mesa...

Payne Moses

Second annual Downtown Mesa BBQ Classic set for Nov. 8-9

Pitmasters and smoky meat connoisseurs will join forces this weekend in the East Valley, as the Downtown Mesa BBQ Classic will take over for the second year running.

8 hours ago

Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris...

Payne Moses

Harris-Walz campaign hosting Phoenix rally on eve of Election Day

The Harris-Walz campaign will be in Phoenix on the eve of the 2024 presidential, as part of its nationwide Get Out The Vote initiative.

9 hours ago

Aerial shot of property formerly Half Moon Windy City Sports Grill...

Payne Moses

Law firm transforming longtime Phoenix bar into new office space

Half Moon Windy City Sports Grill closed in February after 18 years of serving the Valley and will be repurposed into an office space for land use law firm, Withey Morris Baugh.

11 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Day & Night Air Conditioning, Heating and Plumbing

Why a Heating Tune-Up is Essential Before Winter

PHOENIX, AZ — With cooler weather on the horizon, making sure your heating system is prepped and ready can make all the difference in staying comfortable this winter.

...

Morris Hall

West Hunsaker, through Morris Hall, supports Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona

KTAR’s Community Spotlight this month focuses on Morris Hall and its commitment to supporting the Make-A-Wish Foundation in Arizona.

...

Bright Wealth Management

Here’s how to save money on retirement planning

PHOENIX -- With inflation still going on, people planning on retiring still face many issues on when they can retire and how much money they need to achieve it.

Arizona has resources to staff potential coronavirus alternate care sites