Governor of Arkansas Asa Hutchinson
Asa Hutchinson Hochul makes New York the 31st state an Alabama governor has had more intensive care patients than ICU beds (R) revealed Tuesday that his condition has exhausted the beds in the intensive care unit (ICU) to treat patients with COVID-19 amid an increase in new cases.
Hutchinson said during a press conference that the delta variant has contributed to the increase, noting that many of those hospitalized represent younger age groups and reflect the state’s low vaccination rate. He added that more than 92% of coronavirus cases and 90% of deaths occur among the unvaccinated.
“Everyone should know the stress this poses for our hospitals and the need to be vaccinated and the importance of our space in bed,” Hutchinson said.
“This is a note of caution for everyone and should underscore the need to make our vaccines,” the governor added.
According to The Associated Press, this is the first time since the start of the pandemic that ICU beds have reached capacity in the state.
Renee Mallory, chief of staff to the Arkansas Department of Health, said Tuesday that at least one hospital aims to provide more ICU beds, according to Axios.
Arkansas also broke a record for the number of coronavirus-infected patients who have been placed on ventilators, the media reported.
According to the Arkansas Department of Health, the state has seen nearly 438,465 cases of coronavirus and reported 6,749 coronavirus-related deaths.