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, [...]
Brutal summer heat can be more than just unpleasant. If you don’t take precautions, extreme temperatures can cause illness and even death. That’s why ADHS and the National Weather Service are joining forces to mark Arizona Heat Awareness Week from May 10-14. This is a chance to learn how to protect yourself and others from [...]
Since mid-December, when the first Pfizer vaccines reached Arizona, ADHS has been working with our local county health departments and tribes to get the COVID-19 vaccine distributed to vulnerable Arizonans as quickly as possible. Arizonans living in long-term care facilities and those 65 years of age and older were prioritized first for vaccination because of [...]
There are many good reasons to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19. It protects you, your family, your friends, and your community. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today offered another good reason: You no longer need to wear a mask for certain outdoor activities. Specifically, the CDC’s new guidance allows fully vaccinated individuals [...]
Today, our dashboards will show the addition of approximately 625 cases across three counties (Gila County - 270, Graham County - 142, Navajo County - 213). While these will appear as “new cases” for Friday’s case counts, these represent infections from throughout the pandemic, with 73% of the cases testing positive during the fall/winter peak [...]
