Like many of you, I’m looking with concern at daily updates to the ADHS COVID-19 data dashboard. Cases are rising, though with 3.4 million people in Arizona fully vaccinated, including a large share of older Arizonans more prone to severe outcomes, we haven’t seen the same levels of COVID-19 related hospitalizations and deaths as during [...]
It’s been an active Arizona monsoon so far, and that means it’s also time to be thinking about mosquitoes and guarding against West Nile virus. West Nile, the most common mosquito-borne disease in Arizona, causes symptoms in about 20% of those infected ranging from fever, headaches, and body aches to, in rare cases, inflammation of [...]
Currently, COVID-19 is primarily impacting unvaccinated individuals, reports Dr. Christ. The best protection is to be fully vaccinated. Find a convenient location here: https://t.co/Y6yHvXLUNN pic.twitter.com/FKfQHBLsTD — AZ Dept of Health (@AZDHS) July 21, 2021 One of the important ways ADHS shares information with Arizonans is through the news media. Arizona’s newspapers, online news outlets, and [...]
Real-world data continues to show the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines – and the consequences of not getting the shot. The facts are clear and compelling: In May, 95.4% of the 16,910 reported COVID-19 cases were among those who weren’t fully vaccinated. In June, 92.4% of the 12,911 reported COVID-19 cases were among those who weren’t [...]
Publishing a new five-year Arizona Health Improvement Plan (AzHIP) this week marks an important milestone in the state of Arizona’s journey toward improved health. I’m pleased to share the plan and look forward to providing updates as we work toward its goals. Building on the success of the first Arizona Health Improvement Plan, which covered [...]
I hope everyone has a happy Fourth of July weekend. Those of us in public health have some tips on how to make your celebrations safe while you’re enjoying time with family and friends. COVID-19 Safety Please be aware when enjoying time with others that COVID-19 remains active in our communities. Variants such as Delta (B.1.617.2) [...]
We continue to educate: Vaccines are highly effective at preventing serious illness and death from COVID-19. The numbers continue to demonstrate this, including a look at cases we shared in a release earlier this week as Arizona reached 3 million people fully vaccinated. Arizona reported 16,910 total COVID-19 cases during May. Out of those, we [...]
This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classified the so-called Delta variant of COVID-19 — B.1.617.2 — as a variant of concern. This is one of the variants behind India’s devastating outbreaks, and it has become the dominant strain in the United Kingdom. Its shift from a variant of interest reflects the [...]
Heat can become a serious health issue when the temperature soars – as it’s doing this week. Please look out for yourself and others to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Anyone can fall victim to heat-related illness, but the list of those who are most susceptible includes those 65 and older, infants and young [...]
Today brings more encouraging news for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19 -- and another reason for everyone else to get their shot. New guidance from U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says fully vaccinated people can resume activities indoors as well as outdoors without wearing a mask or physically distancing. The CDC notes, [...]
