Seasonal influenza activity in the United States remains lower than usual for this time of year. There have been only 661 flu cases in Arizona with a slight spike of 259 cases in the state just before Christmas with 48% of cases in the 19 to 49 -year age group. Yavapai County has only had 4 cases reported by physicians.
Arizona currently has the highest per-capita rate of new COVID-19 infections, with 64,386 cases and 877 deaths reported in Arizona in the last seven days. Hospitalizations and deaths have surpassed records. Over the last week, the state has averaged more than 8,000 cases a day, more than double the summer peak.
Public health officials have also expressed concerns about the more transmissible strain of the coronavirus that is already spreading in the U.S. Cases involving the variant, which is thought to have first emerged in the United Kingdom and has now been reported in more than 30 countries, have already been confirmed in California, Colorado, Florida and New York.
A recent report from the U.K.’s Department of Health and Social Care found that the new strain doesn’t appear to be more deadly and doesn’t cause more severe illness, but it is estimated to be 50 percent to 70 percent more transmissible.
The four important ways to slow the spread are to: wear a mask to protect yourself and others, stay at least 6 feet from others who don’t live with you, avoid crowds, and avoid poorly ventilated spaces. The more people you are in contact with, the more likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19.
It is important to wear your mask correctly – over your nose and mouth – which helps prevent you from getting or spreading the virus. Everyone should wear a mask in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- For COVID-19 Vaccine Information:
- Has your agency signed up to have your staff vaccinated? https://form.jotform.com/203526242875053
- For a COVID-19 test at Community Health Center of Yavapai, call 583-1000. For a flu shot, call 771-3122.
- COVID-19 information en español: https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/es/COVID-19-19/
