COVID-19 Vaccine: Coconino County Expands Eligibility To Adults 35 And Older
Coconino County has moved to the 1c phase of its COVID-19 vaccination plan, and has opened eligibility to individuals 35 and older. The 1c priority group includes adults of any age with high-risk health conditions, along with adults living in congregate settings, which can include shelters and detention centers. The new eligibility allows adults with developmental disabilities to receive the vaccine regardless of age. Individuals will not be asked to provide documentation of their medical conditions when scheduling vaccination appointments, according to the county. State data shows more than 46,000 people in the county have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine so far.
Yavapai County Expands Eligibility To Adults 55 And Older
Yavapai County is also moving into the 1c phase of its vaccination process and will now administer vaccines to adults 55 and older. County officials estimated 24.5% of the population had been vaccinated as of Tuesday. The county also continues to report a lower hospitalization rate compared to its post-holiday surge, reporting 15 total hospitalizations in the county on Tuesday related to the virus. The Community Health Center of Yavapai also plans to distribute the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine this Friday in Paulden, and later in the month in Cordes Junction.
Micropolitan Designation Mulled By Federal Government, Flagstaff Officials
Flagstaff city officials are voicing concerns as the federal government considers changing the standards for categorizing cities and towns as “micropolitan” areas. The United States currently designates communities, such as Flagstaff, as micropolitan if they have 50,000 residents or more. The ongoing consideration would only allow the designation for communities with a population of at least 100,000. City Management Analyst Sarah Langley said in a council meeting Tuesday the new designation could “set a bad precedent.” City officials across the country say if they lose their designations as micropolitan areas, they could lose federal funding. Langley said the city is working on a formal comment regarding opposition.
Navajo Nation Marks One Year Of COVID-19
Tribal officials say Wednesday, March 17 marks one year since the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed on the Navajo Nation. Health officials on Tuesday confirmed two new COVID-19 cases and one recent death related to the virus. The reservation recently transitioned into a soft reopening phase, though the newly implemented executive order applies to certain businesses only, and a daily curfew remains in effect. President Jonathan Nez says a virtual day of prayer event will be held Friday morning to honor the lives lost to the pandemic.
Navajo Gaming To Partially Reopen Facilities Friday
The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise announced Tuesday two of its facilities will reopen at limited capacity starting Friday, March 19. In a release, the enterprise says the New Mexico-based Fire Rock and Northern Edge Navajo Casinos will begin operating at 25% capacity. The facilities will allow Navajo Nation residents only, and masks will be required among both employees and clients, according to the enterprise. A board chairman of the enterprise says infectious disease experts were consulted in the reopening plan.
‘Mobile Vaccine Clinics’ Roll Out In Yavapai County
Spectrum Healthcare will roll out several “mobile vaccine clinics” throughout Yavapai County — in a school, a church, and near a fire station, among other community-centered locations. A clinic will launch this Friday morning in Congress; two more will be held Saturday, March 27, in Wilhoit, and Yarnell. A clinic will also be held in Jerome on March 31. Spectrum Healthcare says appointments must be made in advance, and that residents only are eligible. The announcement comes as healthcare workers seek ways to provide the vaccine to underserved communities; Spectrum earlier this month began partnering with the Verde Valley Caregivers’ Coalition to vaccinate some residents within their own homes.
