NBC News
By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services via Arizona Capitol Times
Arizona’s available hospital beds for a potential surge in COVID-19 patients are as low as they’ve been since July with predictions they could run out soon.
The Arizona State University Biodesign Institute figures that Arizona could surpass the prior July peak of coronavirus patients in intensive care units as soon as Dec. 18 and hit ICU capacity four days later, with a spike due to holiday travel. And even if there is no increase due to people bringing the virus here – or bringing it back after visiting elsewhere – the ASU researchers conclude all that will do is delay hitting capacity until mid-January.
They’re not the only ones who see issues.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, using its own analysis, figures that the state’s demand for intensive-care beds needed for all types of patients, COVID and otherwise, will exceed capacity at the end of the month.
And by the first week in January, the number of people hospitalized overall will be more than the beds available.
