This trend of steadily increasing cases is mirrored in hospital usage. The number of COVID-19 patients in hospitals continues to break records. Currently, two-thirds of intensive-care beds are in use by COVID-19 patients statewide. More than 1,300 patients are on ventilators, using nearly 60 percent of the state s supply of the life-support devices.
Hospitals are struggling to keep up. Banner Health, the state s largest healthcare provider, is placing people in areas of the hospital that are not normally used for patients and continuing to deploy office staff including senior leadership to assist with patients, chief clinical officer Marjorie Bessel told the media last Wednesday. Many more patients than usual are having to wait in emergency room beds while they wait for space to become available, she said.
How to sign up for the Phase 1B group of COVID-19 vaccine in Maricopa County
Visit podvaccine.azdhs.gov or call 844-542-8201.
Posted at 10:32 AM, Jan 07, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-12 19:27:05-05
Vaccination scheduling for Maricopa County s Phase 1B opened on Monday, Jan. 11. However, early Monday morning, the site was already overwhelmed with users and experiencing difficulties.
â ï¸ The COVID-19 vaccine page is overwhelmed with people. Please do not try to access the site until after 6:40am. Public Health (@Maricopahealth) January 11, 2021
Eligible populations included in Phase 1B are:
K-12 school staff and childcare workers
Law Enforcement/Protective Services
Adults age 75 and older
Maricopa County to enter Phase 1B COVID-19 vaccination stage next Monday
ABC15
and last updated 2021-01-06 11:32:39-05
Maricopa County officials said they will begin Phase 1B vaccinations and open up scheduling for these prioritized individuals starting next week.
Eligible populations included in Phase 1B are:
K-12 school staff and childcare workers
Law Enforcement/Protective Services
Adults age 75 and older
County health officials said healthcare workers who were eligible from Phase 1A who still need to schedule their first appointments can do so but will not be prioritized over other currently-eligible individuals in Phase 1B.
With limited vaccine availability, health officials said it is their highest priority to ensure every eligible Maricopa County resident will have access to receive their vaccines.
But most classrooms will be closed, as 2021 begins with online learning for most public school students.
âLitchfield Elementary School Districtâs data from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health has skyrocketed. Our kindergarten through eighth grade students will remain in distance learning until further notice,â according to an LESD website pre-break post. âWe will continue to monitor the metrics and will send you another update on Jan. 15.â
At the other LESD, Littleton Elementary School District, âAll students will remain in full-time dynamic distance learning through Jan. 15.â
At Buckeye Elementary School District, âfamilies should plan for continued virtual instruction the week of Jan. 4,â according to a pre-winter break post at the district website.
In Arizona, a shortage of public health staffers is slowing the vaccine rollout nbcnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nbcnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.