Hospital update: 8 patients remain after Tucson shooting

TUCSON, AZ - Surgeons in Tucson say eight patients remain in the hospital as of Monday morning after a tragic shooting over the weekend.

Two of those patients are in the intensive care unit, said Dr. Peter Rhee in a 10 a.m. news conference at University Medical Center.

“I’m happy to report the victims are doing better,” a hospital spokesman said.

Three other area hospitals reportedly took in victims of Saturday's shooting, but the patients were later transported to University Medical Center, all in stable condition.

A spokesperson with Northwest Medical Center said a male and female patient were treated at the hospital and later transferred to UMC. Jason Fenwick, with Carondolet Health Network said they received five patients at two of their hospitals. Four people were reportedly treated for gunshot wounds, it is unclear what type of injuries the fifth victim suffered. Four patients were released Saturday and the fifth was transported to UMC.

Dr. Michael Lemole said Monday Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was responding to verbal commands by raising two fingers of her left hand and even managed to give a thumbs-up.

Giffords was reportedly shot in the head by a gunman Saturday in front of a Tucson grocery store. Nineteen others were also shot in the incident.

“At this phase in the game, no change is good, and we have no change,” Lemole said.

The surgeons did not get into much detail about Giffords’ condition but said they are being positive.

Swelling of the brain can take three to five days to maximize, Lemole said, adding that he’s more optimistic each day the swelling doesn’t increase.

Rhee said Giffords is constantly surrounded by family.

The hospital says its next update is scheduled for Wednesday unless any patients' conditions change.