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More than 270 doctors sent a letter to Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson urging him to do more to combat COVID-19 as hospitalizations in the state reached a record high.
The letter warned that the "worst is approaching" and the state's healthcare system would be "greatly compromised" if the virus is allowed to continue spreading unchecked.
The physicians implored Hutchinson, a Republican, to enforce a universal mask mandate, restrict indoor gatherings to 10 people or less, restrict restaurants to takeout only and close bars and gyms.
"We are seeing ICUs full of COVID-19 patients," the letter said. "Our hospitals are filling up to the brim, and the virus is continuing to spread unchecked in our communities, meaning that the worst is approaching.
"Soon we will shoot past our capacity to care for patients. We will need field hospitals, the children's hospitals will need to take adult patients, and our ability to care for patients with routine emergencies such as trauma patients, heart attacks, and strokes will be greatly compromised.
"Healthcare providers will become overwhelmed and burn out, as many have already. We will see COVID-19 take the lives of many Arkansans, both directly and indirectly."
They also urged Hutchinson to listen to experts at the state's Department of Health, follow their recommendations and enforce their directives.
"Governor, we are at a crucial point in this pandemic. Arkansas needs strong leadership now more than ever. We, the physicians of Arkansas, implore you to take the necessary steps to save lives, even if they are unpopular steps to take," the letter added. "Countless lives depend upon it."
On Wednesday, the Arkansas Department of Health reported that COVID-19 hospitalizations had risen to 901, a new high for the state.
The state's coronavirus cases rose to 137,617 and 30 more people died, bringing the state's total fatalities from the virus to 2,275.
In a statement, Hutchinson noted that virus-related hospitalizations in the state had again reached an all-time high.
"This puts a strain on our medical teams and it's never been more important for all of us to do our part and be part of the solution," he said.
But on Tuesday, he rejected the White House Coronavirus Task Force's recommendation to significantly scale back the indoor capacity of restaurants in most of the state, the Associated Press reported.
In a letter responding to the physicians, Hutchinson outlined his efforts to combat the pandemic, but didn't respond to the specific requests outlined in their letter.
Citing the state's mask mandate and current requirement for restaurants, bars and gyms, he said: "Please be assured I share your commitment to slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Arkansas, and I recognize the importance of maintaining our hospital capacity."
He added: "I will continue to be guided by the expertise and experience of public health officials and evaluate appropriate actions to mitigate the impact on our hospital capacity."
About the writer
Khaleda Rahman is Newsweek's National Correspondent based in London, UK. Her focus is reporting on education and national news. Khaleda ... Read more