As 2020 has shown, emergencies and disasters can strike when we least expect. Recent local, national, and international events illustrate the need to be prepared for both known and unexpected threats. In an effort to better prepare individuals, families, and communities, state and federal governments have designated September as National Preparedness Month. This is a [...]
Today’s Business Dashboard update has positive news that extends beyond the state’s most-populous counties -- Maricopa and Pima -- moving to the next phase of safely resuming certain business operations with enhanced mitigation measures. As of today, a total of 8 counties, Apache, Cochise, Coconino, La Paz, Maricopa, Navajo, Pima, and Yavapai, are in the [...]
Over the last several months, ADHS has worked with partners in local public health, healthcare, and community organizations to expand access to community-based COVID-19 testing across the state so that anyone who needs or wants a test can get one. We are currently evaluating existing testing locations and their coverage areas to identify gaps in [...]
Over the last few months, Arizonans have worked together to help slow the spread of COVID-19. From wearing masks, physically distancing, and limiting congregating — their efforts have been a success and a model for the country. This responsible approach has resulted in three of our major counties progressing to the next phase of safely [...]
Today we made an update to the Hospital Bed Usage and Availability section of our Data Dashboard to provide more information about how COVID-19 is impacting hospital bed usage in Arizona’s intensive care and inpatient units. Previously, the data we presented provided a picture of the percentage of beds that were occupied and the percentage [...]
Throughout the COVID-19 response, ADHS has partnered with hospitals to ensure Arizona’s healthcare preparedness to address a surge in COVID-19 cases. Early in the outbreak, Governor Ducey issued executive orders to support healthcare surge capacity, including issuance of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected order, which provided hospitals time to implement preparedness plans, enhance [...]
This morning at nine, we’ll be updating our COVID-19 data dashboard. Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be changing how they display data about cases and deaths on their dashboard, and ADHS will be changing ours to reflect this update. On our summary page, we will be breaking out confirmed and [...]
Over the past few months, we have been reviewing projections and models to ensure we have adequate healthcare resources to meet the needs of Arizonans during this pandemic. The news is encouraging: most of the current models continue to show that Arizona’s capacity is sufficient to meet the projected need for hospital beds and ventilators. [...]
As COVID-19 continues to spread in the United States, the CDC has recommended wearing cloth face coverings in public when physical distancing is difficult to maintain. Out and about in our communities, many Arizonans are following these recommendations. Studies continue to be published showing how COVID-19 can be spread through speaking, coughing, sneezing -- including by people [...]
May 17-23, 2020, is Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week. This year’s theme for EMS Week, “Ready Today, Preparing For Tomorrow” is appropriate given our current statewide response to the COVID-19 pandemic. EMS providers (including EMTs, paramedics, emergency nurses and physicians, 9-1-1 dispatchers, and EMS educators) have been on the front line of Arizona’s COVID-19 response since [...]
