Yuma County issues apology for issues with vaccine phone lines
MGN
County says it is working to correct problems
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Yuma County issued an apology to the community Wednesday for problems many experienced while trying to sign up for a coronavirus vaccine.
The county opened its phone lines at 1 Tuesday afternoon. Within minutes, the lines were jammed with callers. Some people tell KYMA.com they never got past a busy signal. Others report being turned away after they did get through.
County health officials say all available appointments were booked by 1:50 p.m., in less than an hour.
As the number of COVID-19 cases spike, the most pressing issue at Yuma Regional Medical Center isnât space. Itâs staffing. YRMC still has enough beds for patients, but not enough nurses or equipment to staff those beds.
Dr. Robert Trenschel, president and CEO of YRMC, on Monday updated the Yuma County Board of Supervisors on the COVID-19 situation at the hospital.
In an earlier meeting, Chairman Tony Reyes asked the hospital to provide a report on the trigger point for opening additional space for COVID-19 patients. âWhen it gets down to it, we only have one facility that really can handle this. Maybe we ought to start thinking about what happens if that facility is overwhelmed,â Reyes said, noting that YRMC already gets overwhelmed every year by the regular flu season.
Victor Calderón/KAWC
The first batch of COVID-19 vaccines are set to arrive in Yuma County this week.
Yuma County will receive 4,800 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine between Monday and Wednesday.
County Health Director Diana Gomez told reporters Thursday vaccinations will take place soon thereafter for frontline medical workers.
“Basically our health care providers that have daily interaction with COVID patients are going to be among the first to receive the vaccine along with our first responders,” Gomez said.
The county health department will partner with Yuma Regional Medical Center, Sunset Health and the Regional Center for Border Health.
Victor Calderón/KAWC
The first batch of COVID-19 vaccines are set to arrive in Yuma County next week.
Yuma County will receive 4,800 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine between Monday and Wednesday.
County Health Director Diana Gomez told reporters Thursday vaccinations will take place soon thereafter for frontline medical workers.
“Basically our health care providers that have daily interaction with COVID patients are going to be among the first to receive the vaccine along with our first responders,” Gomez said.
The county health department will partner with Yuma Regional Medical Center, Sunset Health and the Regional Center for Border Health.