Health experts have long warned about a second peak in coronavirus, and now a rise in cases has pushed Arizona to tell its hospitals to activate emergency plans in preparation for a new and potentially deadlier surge.
What We Know:
- Arizona is one of the 19 states with the trend of new coronavirus cases still increasing. While 24 are trending downward, seven states’ trends are holding steady. Nationally, more than 1.9 million people have been infected by the virus and more than 112,000 have died, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.
- At its peak, Arizona’s intensive care unit beds were 78% in use. As of Monday, 76% were occupied. Arizona’s Director of Health Services Dr. Cara Christ asked that hospitals “be judicious” in elective surgeries to ensure bed capacity.
- “We know Covid-19 is still in our community, and we expect to see increased cases,” the Arizona Department of Health Services tweeted Tuesday night.
Arizona is taking a phased-in approach to reopening. We know #COVID19 is still in our community and we expect to see increased cases. There are steps everyone can take to protect themselves and their community: https://t.co/TVX2eyLc8c 11/11
— AZ Dept of Health (@AZDHS) June 9, 2020
- Bed capacity and medical resources were among the top concerns in treating the coronavirus pandemic when the nation first reached a peak. At this point, many health experts say it is a matter of when the country sees another event where cases overwhelm healthcare systems.
- Many states have loosened restrictions that were put in place starting in March to curb the spread of the virus. But with no vaccine and more people congregating in public places and national protests, health experts warn that the high rates of cases seen in the spring may come back.
- As states implement measures to manage the pandemic, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci said the road to medical intervention is long.
Providing the billions of doses of potential vaccines to everyone around the world who needs them will take the work of researchers around the world, Fauci said in a taped interview with President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization Dr. Michelle McMurry-Heath.
