One of Arizona’s largest hospital systems reports that most people currently being treated for COVID-19 are unvaccinated. Dr. Michael White, of Valleywise Health in Phoenix, says those hospitalized are predominantly people who have “chosen not to be vaccinated for whatever reason.”
White says, up until two weeks ago, doctors were mostly treating people with moderate symptoms. Now, patients are coming in with acute illness. Valleywise is considering mandating COVID-19 vaccination for its nearly 500 employees. This week, Phoenix-based Banner Health, one of the largest nonprofit health care systems in the nation, announced it would make vaccination a term of employment. Today, the Arizona Department of Health Services reported close to 1,800 new coronavirus cases and 10 deaths. The Navajo Nation yesterday reported 21 new cases and no deaths for the fourth consecutive day.
Meanwhile, White House officials today reported that vaccinations are beginning to rise in some states where coronavirus cases are surging, including Nevada, Florida and Arkansas.
