Why this wave of COVID is different for hospitals

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TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) – The recent spate of COVID-19 cases is wreaking havoc on local hospitals. Now an update from Banner Health as Executives says this increase is different.

This is because they see the rate of hospitalization, ICU admissions, and ventilator use in younger patients, mostly between the ages of 20 and 60. In previous outbreaks, they said the sickest were 60 or older.

Here’s a look at some of their numbers for July. Since July 1, Banner says hospitalizations have increased 95%, ventilator has increased 300% and 5% of hospital admissions were pediatric patients.

A unique hurdle Banner faces right now is non-COVID patients. Hospital admissions among this group are 15% higher than in a typical summer. They say that’s in part because many delayed care during the pandemic.

“So we are doing our best to keep the operations going as much as possible, but we are starting to see an increase in the number of people seeking care and, as a result, an increase in the time it takes for us to be able to respond,” said Marjorie Bessel, MD, Clinical Director of Banner Health.

Banner says elective surgeries are still happening right now. However, visits are limited to one visitor per patient per day in Maricopa, Gila, and Pinal counties. In Coconino and Pima counties two visitors are allowed.

Bessel says this is a fluid situation and things could change if COVID-19 cases continue to rise.

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