Arizona COVID-19 hospitalizations soar ahead of Phoenix Trump student rally

Cases of the new coronavirus in Arizona have exceeded 52,500, with COVID-19-related hospitalizations at the highest level since early April, according to the latest figures from the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS).

The latest increase comes before a student rally in Phoenix, where President Donald Trump will speak Tuesday.

About 1,992 hospitalizations among suspected or positive COVID-19 patients were reported Sunday, the highest on record since April 8, until the last Monday ADHS report.

Intensive care unit (ICU) beds used by suspected or positive COVID-19 patients were also at their highest point since April 8, with 583 reported beds in use on Sunday, according to the latest report from the ADHS.

On Saturday, the state’s ICU beds were nearly full, with 85 percent of the beds in use, the highest percentage reported since March 26, according to the ADHS.

Arizona’s daily case count of 2,500 on Sunday was five times higher than the 497 new cases reported on May 16, when the state began to reopen, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.

The latest figures are released ahead of Tuesday’s “Student Convention for Trump” in Phoenix, where the president will give “a speech to young Americans,” according to the event’s website.

The meeting is organized by Students for Trump, a pro-Trump subgroup of Turning Point Action, which is a sister group to the Turning Point USA organization.

The event registration form states: “By clicking register below, you acknowledge that there is an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any public place where people are present.

“By attending this convention, you and any guests voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and agree not to hold Turning Point Action, its affiliates, Dream City Church, employees, agents, contractors, or volunteers responsible for any illness. or injury, “warns the website.

Speaking to Newsweek, a White House spokesman said: “The President takes the health and safety of all those who travel in support of himself and all White House operations very seriously,” when asked if Trump will take precautionary measures at the rally and will encourage others at the event to do so.

“In preparing for and taking any trip, White House Operations collaborates with the physician for the President and the White House Military Office to ensure that plans incorporate the current CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] guidance and best practices to limit exposure to COVID-19 as much as possible, “added the spokesperson.

Dream City Church is a “multi-site megachurch” with multiple branches in Arizona, including Phoenix, as well as one in Utah and Nebraska.

The place is reported to have 3,000 seats, a church person told Arizona’s KTAR News on Friday. The president’s participation in the event was not confirmed before the venue was secured, a Students for Trump spokesperson told KTAR News.

Dream City Church also noted that it was informed of the president’s attendance after agreeing to rent the place, according to a church statement.

“Turning Point Action contacted Dream City regarding the use of its facilities for a student event. Dream City prayerfully considered and then accepted. Turning Point Action later informed Dream City that the president planned to speak at the event,” the statement confirmed. .

“The rental of the Dream City facility does not constitute endorsement of the opinions of its tenants,” the statement added.

Beginning Saturday, a face mask mandate was issued in Phoenix requiring facial covers to be worn in all public places in the city.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego said in a statement Monday: “Tomorrow, the president will host a campaign rally at a private church in north Phoenix. The event was not sanctioned or allowed by the city of Phoenix, as The city does not allow political events. In addition, it does not meet current CDC guidelines during COVID-19.

“While I don’t think an event of this magnitude can be safely held, particularly since Arizona sees an increase in COVID cases, the president decided to continue this rally,” he said in the statement.

Both the church and presidential campaign staff have been notified by city officials of the mask mandate in Phoenix. The church has indicated that it will deliver masks to event attendees and take their temperatures upon registration, the statement confirmed.

Gallego explained in the statement: “The objective of this [mask] The policy is not to deliver quotes, but to educate the public about the virus and its transmission. That is why we have started a strong public outreach campaign focused on education. The city has not changed this compliance policy for tomorrow’s event. “

“But we hope that our governor [Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey] who is there can send a strong message. He believes in masks and could be a great spokesperson telling the young people there to wear masks, but the best spokesperson would be the president. If he [Trump] I told everyone at the rally that it was important to wear masks, I think they would” Gallego said Sunday in an interview on CNN The situation room with Wolf Blitzer.

Gallego noted: “We have 17 percent of hospital capacity left, we are hearing stories about treatment in the corridors … we are in a crisis situation, we need partners to help us improve, we do not need to increase the spread in Phoenix” .

If Trump listened, Gallego told CNN: “I would consider [asking Trump] whether it is appropriate to have this event in Phoenix as we increase the amount of COVID-19 in our community.

“But if you’re going to have it, send the strongest signals to everyone that they need to wash their hands, they should wear masks and they should stay home if they have any questions about whether they are sick.” additional.

Last week, medical professionals urged Ducey to issue a state mandate for the mandatory use of masks to help reduce the spread of the infection in a letter to the governor.

In a statement Tuesday, the governor’s office said, “We have received the letter. Going to COVID-19 remains our top priority. Everyone should cover their faces when in public and follow public health guidelines.”

The Arizona home stay order expired on May 15, but a selection of locations reopened before the order expired. Restaurants, gyms, swimming pools, nail and beauty salons, nonessential stores were allowed to reopen before May 15.

Newsweek ADHS, Dream City Church and Ducey’s office have been contacted for comment.