Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego is pointing to a “crisis” involving coronavirus testing shortages in her city due to surging cases in Arizona, which leads the U.S. in new coronavirus cases per capita.
Gallego, a Democrat, said some residents over the weekend had to line up for eight hours by car to get COVID-19 tests and the federal government has been slow to help.
Gallego told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday that Arizona went from “zero to 60” by being one of the first states to reopen after it was among the last to implement stay-at-home orders.
She said that led to an explosion of cases, citing crowded nightclubs with free champagne and people unwittingly spreading the virus at large family gatherings.
Gallego faults mixed public messaging after President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Phoenix.
While she was urging people to stay at home and avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, Gallego said Trump undercut that by holding large events and not wearing a mask.
Arizona health officials reported 3,536 additional coronavirus cases Sunday and four more known deaths.
That brings the state’s totals to 98,089 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 1,809 known deaths.
On Saturday, the Arizona Department of Health Services had reported 2,695 more coronavirus cases and 17 additional deaths.
The state’s single-day pandemic highs were 4,878 cases and 88 deaths, both reported on Wednesday.
According to the latest data, intensive care unit bed usage reached 89% in Arizona on Saturday with the available supply at 178 beds.
Thursday saw the largest usage rate in the state at 91%.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. But for some — especially older adults and people with existing health problems — it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.
Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
