Grijalva urges Ducey to deal with rising respiratory illnesses in AZ

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Arizona Representative Raul M. Grijalva is calling on Governor Doug Ducey to deal with the rise in respiratory illnesses in the state.

In a statement, these respiratory illnesses include COVID-19, influenza (flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV).

Furthermore, Grijalva states the following:

“I commend the Biden administration and Secretary Becerra for their outreach and offer of federal support as Arizona faces rates of rising respiratory illnesses. Governor Ducey must do all that is necessary to protect our children, increase hospital capacity, and provide local health authorities with the necessary resources to mitigate the increasing strain on our health care systems. I urge Governor Ducey to accept the offer of federal funding, resources, supplies, and personnel assistance from HHS to ensure our public health infrastructure is prepared to face this continuing surge.“

Not only that, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra sent a letter to Ducey.

The letter, sent on December 2, offers federal assistance as respiratory illnesses continue rising.

Moreover, according to a report, 99% of pediatric beds are in use to deal with the ongoing surge.