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Friday, July 18, 2025 at 4:30 PM

An Update from Banner Churchill -- ICU at 125 Percent Capacity

100 percent of ICU patients requiring ventilators
An Update from Banner Churchill -- ICU at 125 Percent Capacity
Banner Churchill

Author: File photo

Banner Churchill Community Hospital CEO, Rob Carnahan released a message today regarding an update of the COVID situation at the hospital.

"We would like to thank so many in our community for heeding our request to use the county COVID testing sites if you’re not experiencing any symptoms," he said. "Our Emergency Department is still very busy, with an average of 80 patients a day, including about 44 per day for COVID testing. If you’re not experiencing symptoms, but want or need a COVID test, please use the County testing sites to allow our staff to care for those patients who are seriously ill."

The COVID patients being seen at Banner are sicker than in recent days, according to Carnahan. The Intensive Care Unit is currently at 125 percent capacity, and 100 percent of the ICU patients are requiring ventilators for life support. 89 percent of Banner Churchill COVID patients are not vaccinated and 71 percent are between the ages of 12 to 59.

Carnahan encouraged community residents to consider vaccination. "Please help end the COVID-19 pandemic by doing your part and getting vaccinated as soon as possible if you are eligible. The Pfizer vaccine is FDA approved and the vaccines are safe and effective. Even if you get COVID, if you’re vaccinated you’re substantially less likely to become seriously ill and need hospitalization."

He said the Joint Commission, the accreditation body for the health care industry, has put together a simple set of graphics to help the public better understand the numbers related to COVID cases and vaccinations.

 


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carl_hagen 09/19/2021 05:47 AM
"89 percent of Banner Churchill COVID patients are not vaccinated and 71 percent are between the ages of 12 to 59." "Even if you get COVID, if you’re vaccinated you’re substantially less likely to become seriously ill and need hospitalization."

COMMENTS
Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I knew Sam as a member of our church growing up. He always had a warm smile, a kind word, and a great sense of humor! He will be great missed!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:57 AMComment source: Obituary -- Samuel Bruce WickizerComment author: Mike HinzComment text: Great teacher, great coach, but even a better person!!! Rest in peace Mr. BeachComment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:53 AMComment source: Obituary -- Jack Victor Beach, Jr.Comment author: Mike HinzComment text: I had Mrs Hedges for First Grade at Northside Elementary in 1969. I still, to this day, remember her as a wonderful teacher…one of my favorites!!Comment publication date: 7/2/25, 11:29 AMComment source: Obituary - Nancy Marie Hedges C Comment author: Carl C. HagenComment text: What are MFNs and PBMs ?? ............................ From the editor: This is a very good question and we apologize for not catching that wasn't in there. We reached out to the writer/submitter and got this info back...hope it's helpful. PBM: Pharmacy Benefit Managers are pharmacies that are owned by insurance companies. (CVS is one.) They negotiate with drug makers to get reduced pricing for medications, but they historically have not passed along those savings to patients. https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/pharmacy-benefit-managers-staff-report.pdf MFN: Most Favored Nation pricing is a policy that means a country agrees to offer the same trade concessions (like tariffs or price reductions) to all member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). When applied to pharmaceuticals, it could disrupt global access, deter innovation, and obscure the deeper systemic issues in American health care. https://petrieflom.law.harvard.edu/2025/05/22/the-global-risks-of-americas-most-favored-nation-drug-pricing-policy/Comment publication date: 6/23/25, 7:47 AMComment source: L E T T E R TO THE EDITOR
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