Arizona’s COVID-19 Vaccine Plan
Although a COVID-19 vaccine is not yet available, public health professionals across Arizona and around the country are already hard at work laying the groundwork for efficient and inclusive allocation and distribution of the vaccine. We don’t know when and how the vaccine is coming, quite yet. But based on lessons learned with the 2009 H1N1 vaccine distribution and ADHS’ [...]
Don’t let COVID-19 haunt your Halloween
I’m guessing that your children, like mine, have asked the same panicked questions as Oct. 31 approaches: Will there be trick-or-treating this Halloween? What about other fun? To these kiddos and their parents, I’m pleased to say that trick-or-treating can be done safely, but it’s no time to let down your guard since COVID-19 is still active in our communities. [...]
COVID-19 Hospitalizations In Arizona
As we continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, we track important outcomes to identify the course of the disease. Hospitalization is one of those metrics that can provide additional information to public health officials to target interventions and identify groups at higher risk for more severe disease. We track hospitalization in several ways: Using syndromic surveillance to identify hospitalizations due [...]
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought on many stressors, including emotional hardships, that can impact the overall health and mental well-being of Arizonans. While measures to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, such as physical distancing, are necessary, it has never been more important for us to stay connected to the people we care about. Feelings of loneliness, stress, anxiety, and [...]
COVID-19 Antigen Tests
Over the next couple of days, Arizona will be adding a significantly higher number of cases than our recent average. This is a result of advancements in testing, and includes recently classified positive antigen cases dating back over the previous several months. In late August, a fourth antigen test was authorized by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for diagnosing [...]
National Preparedness Month – Prepare for Disasters
This is the third week of National Preparedness Month, and this week’s theme is “Prepare for Disasters.” Depending on where you live, you might face a variety of different hazards. Common types of disasters in Arizona include wildfires, flooding, power outages, and severe storms. Knowing which type of disasters are most likely to affect you and your household is one [...]