6 Hospitals In The Phoenix Area Are Diverting Transports Due To Influx

Hospitals in the Phoenix area have started diverting incoming emergency hospital patients due to the influx of COVID-19 patients.

Banner Health announced that the hospitals are running out of room and resources due to the rising number of positive COVID-19 cases.

There are currently 507,222 cases of COVID-19 across Arizona. 311,242 of those positive cases are in Maricopa County alone.

Banner Health said that they began diverting on Monday at ten Phoenix-area hospitals at the same time. Six additional hospitals began the diversion on Tuesday.

"This means that the hospitals are closed to incoming emergency transports and hospital transfers while they quickly work to address a backlog of patients. Diversion does not apply to walk-in patients who need emergency care," Banner said in a press release. "It is not uncommon for hospitals to go on diversion during the winter when volume is higher, but it is unusual for so many to be on diversion at the same time—with the length of stay and complexity of care for COVID-19 patients adding to the challenge that this presents."

According to Banner, this only applies to incoming transfers. Patients that show up at the emergency rooms will still receive standard care, but will likely experience longer wait times.

Banner will not release the hospitals currently on the diversion plan.

Photo: Getty Images

Source: AZ Family