PHOENIX — A FDA government advisory panel endorsed widespread use of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine Thursday, putting the country just one step away from launching an epic vaccination campaign against the outbreak that has killed close to 300,000 Americans.
The vaccine can’t get to Arizona hospitals soon enough, with many overwhelmed with rising cases and close to capacity.
Yuma is seeing more than twice the national average of cases per capita.
“The whole world’s going through the same thing, everybody. We are double the U.S. rate -- 118 daily cases, Arizona's rate is 75,” said CEO and President of Yuma Regional Medical Center Dr. Robert Trenschel.
YRMC staff are working around the clock to care for COVID-19 patients.
The hospital is the largest provider within 100 miles, serving more than 100,000 people. The two closest cities are Phoenix and San Diego.
“All we have is us. We can’t pull from a larger system like a Banner or Common Spirit, we are it,” said Trenschel.
YRMC has ample clinical space and Trenschel brought in 30 seasonal staff, but not nearly enough to meet the need.
“What you can’t do is bring in the nurses, staff to care for those patients. We may bring in 30 nurses but what if you have 25 out with COVID, not because of their job but out in the community.”
They ended elective surgeries last week and have had to transfer 20 patients to other hospitals as the surge line expands.
However, Trenschel says he’s proud of his staff’s determination and hopeful for the vaccine to come.
“It feels like a race to the finish line right, we have to get the vaccine out to enough people to prevent any more deaths, we don’t want people to die,” said Trenschel.
Trenschel says they expect to get their vaccine doses Dec. 20 and all his staff plan to get vaccinated.
