As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise above 1,200 in Arizona, Governor Doug Ducey has issued a “Stay home, Stay healthy, Stay connected” policy that promotes physical distancing, while also encouraging social connectedness. Under the Executive Order, Arizonans are to limit their time away from their place of residence or property, except for essential activities and jobs, plus residents can still go outside.
“Keeping Arizonans safe and healthy as we slow the spread of COVID-19 remains our top priority,” said Ducey. “Arizona citizens and businesses are already responsibly responding to this crisis. This order builds on the state’s efforts to protect public health by reminding Arizonans to maintain healthy habits and find alternative ways to stay connected with friends and loved ones while spending time at home.”
The Executive Order is in effect until the end of April.
The governor, along with other elected officials and medical professionals across the country, have maintained that slowing the spread of COVID-19 is crucial – especially in the next 30 days — to help the healthcare system build its capacity to treat patients. The Arizona Department of Health Services expects cases in the state to peak by the end of April with hospitals experiencing their highest number of infected patients in May.
Coconino County officials are among those who have asked the state and federal governments to send financial aid and supplies, such as test kits and personal protection equipment (PPE).
Meanwhile, W. L. Gore & Associates has donated its extra PPEs to Northern Arizona Healthcare. This includes surgical masks, shoe covers, filters, head and body covers, lab coats, goggles and safety glasses. The company has also provided N95 particulate respirators and powered purifying respirators.
At FBN’s publication deadline, there were 1,289 confirmed COVID-19 positive cases in the state with 24 deaths, 71 were in Coconino County with three of the deaths. Flagstaff Medical Center was treating 25 patients with the virus.
“As with most health systems during this unprecedented time, we are experiencing a greater need to care for critically ill patients,” said Northern Arizona Healthcare Chief Experience and Communication Officer Trista MacVittie. “Each day, we’re working to create more space in our facilities. As we prepare for a higher influx of COVID patients, we are proactively evaluating which patients we can accept as a regional care facility and which may need to be sent to other hospitals for care.”
Healthcare professionals urge people not to show up at emergency rooms unless they absolutely need to be there.
Northern Arizona Orthopaedics is hoping to lighten the hospital load by being open on Saturdays now, in addition to throughout the week. “Our Saturday clinic can serve to lessen the burden that is likely to be placed on emergency rooms and urgent cares during this crisis,” said President, Tim Bonatus, DO. “Our goal, above all else, is to uphold social responsibility. We can treat patients with orthopedic injuries outside the hospital settings so that these hospitals can focus their time and resources on treating those with COVID-19 related symptoms.”
Physical Distancing; Teleworking
In the last month, the new normal of social and physical distancing has businesspeople turning their homes into office spaces for themselves and classrooms for their children. Schools are closed for the rest of the academic year. Northern Arizona University, Coconino Community College and Diné College have moved to online instruction for the remainder of the semester.
“Our priorities are the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff and continuing to provide a high-quality education,” said NAU Assistant to the President for Executive Communication and Media Relations Kimberly Ott. “The mountain campus is open and operational, including university housing, computer labs, food service, campus health services, library access and all other units across the university. We are working with our students on practicing social distancing, and educating our employees about telework arrangements to help limit the potential transmission of the COVID-19 virus.”
Everywhere, businesses are adjusting. Gore, which employs approximately 2,000 people in Flagstaff, is decreasing the number of individuals in its local facilities and worldwide. “This means that those associates who can work from home are doing so, and necessary meetings with customers and others will be conducted virtually,” said Community Relations Associate Jana Kettering. “Any associates whose commitments require them to be present in our facilities are taking extra precautions to prevent transmission and illness.”
Medical specialists like audiologists Karon Lynn, Au.D., of Flagstaff and Debbie Kelley, Au.D., of Sedona are meeting patients by appointment only. “We have it so they call us on their cell when they get to the office. We only have one person in the office at a time and then we wipe things down after they leave,” said Lynn. “If we are repairing hearing aids, we have them leave them in a box outside the office door. They sit in their car and wait for us to fix them.”
While Americans await relief through the federal $2 trillion economic stimulus package, which will direct financial assistance in the form of checks based on income, Governor Ducey has announced a cooperative agreement with the state’s banks to protect small businesses and families from eviction and foreclosure. He says banks also have committed to expediting the application and approval of small business loans.
In addition, the governor launched the Arizona Together initiative to support residents during the COVID-19 outbreak, connecting individuals and businesses to resources, raising money for community organizations and providing information on volunteer opportunities. The website, ArizonaTogether.org, also features tools for mental health support for individuals and families facing changes and stress as a result of the pandemic.
Scientists Optimistic for End Point
As healthcare officials expect the utbreak to get worse in Arizona before it gets better, TGen North Director and Associate Professor Dave Engelthaler, Ph.D., says there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“There are relatively few cases daily in China now – it’s definitely on the downswing. We’re not there yet in the U.S.; we’re just getting started. We’re going into a dark tunnel, but the decrease will happen here, too,” he said.
The scientists of TGen North in Flagstaff are genomics first responders. Some of the same researchers who have studied and traced such dangerous pathogens as Ebola and the West Nile virus, are now testing samples for evidence of COVID-19 and working to track this strain of coronavirus. SARS and MERS are also coronaviruses. TGen identified the first COVID-19 case in Flagstaff last month.
“It likely has its origins in bats and has become adapted to humans. It’s possible it came out of markets in China where they sell live animals,” said Engelthaler. “It acts like the common cold or flu, an upper and lower respiratory disease that’s easily spread through a cough or sneeze. It’s more stable on plastics and stainless steel than on copper and cardboard, and it can last [on surfaces] for hours.”
He also added that most people in China who contracted the virus – 81% of those diagnosed – had mild symptoms. “Some people are at higher risk of complications, those over 65 with underlying medical conditions like diabetes, heart and lung disease. Eighty percent of deaths in the U.S. are people over 80 years old. This is where we are going to be most devastated.”
While researchers work to try to better understand the virus, those with symptoms – a fever, tiredness, dry cough or difficulty breathing — are urged to call their healthcare provider and seek guidance from their doctor.
In a panel presentation at NAU last month, Pathogen Microbiome Institute Executive Director Paul Keim, Ph.D., said younger, healthy people can become infected and not show symptoms but still transmit the disease. “If you don’t know, you can’t control it, which is why it’s so important to practice good hygiene, wash hands and avoid touching your face and mouth.”
As COVID-19 tightens its grip on Arizona and the nation, Engelthaler says we all have a role to play. He suggests following public health guidelines, obeying quarantine and distancing recommendations, and having a business and family plan with two to four weeks of supplies.
“It’s important to help the less fortunate and disadvantaged. These are the individuals who are going to be hurting without our help,” he said. “We can deal with this. We’ll get through it. Most of us will get exposed, but not get really sick. Most of those who are seriously ill will survive.” FBN
By Bonnie Stevens, FBN
For more information about COVID-19, Arizonans may call the state hotline at 2-1-1.