PHOENIX (Jan. 27, 2021) – Today, Marjorie Bessel, MD, chief clinical officer at Banner Health addressed COVID-19 topics during a virtual press conference. Topics included:

• Arizona continues to have highest number of COVID-19 infections per capita 
• Banner continues to treat more COVID-19 patients than we did in summer surge
• Banner has administered more than 100,000 vaccines

"We are currently caring for more COVID-19 patients in our Arizona hospitals and ICUs than we were during the peak of the summer surge,'' Bessel said during the press conference. 

"Patient care in our hospitals has not yet returned to a state that I would define as usual and customary, and I would caution you against celebrating too early as we slowly work our way out of this surge.''

Link to high-resolution video of the entire press conference including a transcript of Dr. Bessel's opening remarks and transcript of the Q & A session: 

VIDEO: High-resolution video

Please email media@bannerhealth.com for additional questions. As our medical experts are focused on patient care and the pandemic response, Dr. Bessel will not be available for additional interviews.