Ducey still not doing enough, says Banner top clinical leader

The clinical director for Arizona's largest health care system continues to stress that Governor Doug Ducey isn't doing enough to stop the spread of COVID-19, even as the state's hospitals reach capacity with COVID patients.

Doctor Marjorie Bessel said Wednesday that health care officials continue to urge the governor to let local government take stronger measures to control the virus. Bessel says she can't explain why Ducey refuses. "The question as to why the governor has not granted mayors the authority to make mitigation decisions that can be the most impactful and curbing the trend has yet to be scientifically answered," Dr. Bessel said during a news conference Wednesday.

Bessel said 3 Phoenix-area Banner facilities have reached 100 percent of their licensed capacity. She says coronavirus patients make up close to 60 percent of Banner's intensive care patients, and 75 percent of its patients on ventilators.

Meanwhile, a treatment that could speed up recovery for many people with COVID-19 is being overlooked, Bessel says. Monoclonal antibodies are available for patients with less severe cases of the coronavirus, but many doctors are not using them. "If you test positive for covid-19 talk to your physician about antibody treatment. This is available for those who test positive and are over the age of 65 or those who test positive and are over the age of 55 with health conditions such as diabetes," Dr. Bessel said.

The state on Wednesday reported more than 6,000 new COVID-19 cases in the seventh straight day with a number above 5,000.

It's also continued to set records for COVID-19 hospitalizations. Only 8% of all hospital beds and 7% of adult intensive care unit beds are available in Arizona.