TUCSON, Ariz. – Today, Representative Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03) issued a statement urging Arizona Governor Doug Ducey to take action and full advantage of available federal funds to mitigate the current public health threats Arizona is facing with rising rates of respiratory illnesses including, COVID-19, Influenza (flu) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV):

“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. “

On December 2, 2022, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra sent a letter to Governor Ducey offering federal assistance as the rate of respiratory illnesses continues to rise. Respiratory illnesses are surging throughout Arizona with a reported 99 percent of pediatric beds in use.

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