We have let our guard down on COVID and may one day pay for it
We are replying to the disappointing cancellation of the public health emergency declaration in Arizona last week.
As a result, hospitals are no longer required to provide the level of data that they had been on COVID cases.
The Arizona Department of Health has eliminated data specific to the number and level of COVID patients in Arizona Hospitals. Further, per The Arizona Republic, “hospital bed usage and availability” will no longer break out number of beds occupied by COVID patients.
This is highly disappointing. COVID case numbers are vastly underreported, especially since at-home testing became available.
The CDC “guidelines” of low, medium and high based on community spread by county is meaningless. Supposedly all but one of Arizona’s counties were rated low as of the April 7 update. If you believe the case numbers, no one needs to wear a mask indoors while in public places. However, there still are people getting sick with COVID. Some are being hospitalized and some are dying.
Hospitalization data is a lagging indicator, but right now it is the best we have. And that is being removed. We feel our state is again failing its citizens by not even attempting to provide as accurate guidance as it can to keep us safe.
Case numbers are increasing in some states and in some countries — e.g. Britain and China. When the numbers increase in Arizona, will our state move quickly enough to reinstate the emergency and the data we need?
We fear not. Hospitals should continue to provide information concerning numbers of COVID patients. Armed with this information, each individual or household can make fact driven decisions regarding their own health and safety.
Gail and John Allan, Sun City