The increase in COVID-19 cases across the Tucson area comes as other respiratory illnesses also surge and hospital beds start to fill up.
Patty Machelor Community transmission of COVID-19 has moved to high levels in Pima County as hospitals here are already grappling with soaring rates of influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.
Cullen said while she doesn't expect everyone to get on board with masking again, she has found Pima County residents tend to respond well to public health recommendations. There are no plans for mask mandate requests at this time, she said. RSV is transmitting at about 10 to 11 times the number typically seen at this time of year here, compared to a five-year average. Influenza cases are about five times higher than the five-year average, and are also peaking earlier than usual, Cullen said.
Pediatric cases of RSV are overwhelming hospitals here and, especially, in Maricopa County, said Dr. Matt Heinz, county supervisor for District 2 and a local hospital physician. A 'comeback' for COVID-19 wardsPhoenix-area emergency physician Dr. Nicholas Vasquez told the Associated Press late last week that his hospital has recently admitted a growing number of chronically ill people and nursing home residents with severe COVID-19. COVID wards are"making a clear comeback," he said.
Expanded testing The county is expanding its testing at health sites here, offering free testing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, with a break from noon to 1 p.m.
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