It's Tuesday, March 23. Arizona's Department of Health Services reported this morning 26.8% of the state population has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine. The National Weather Service is predicting snow accumulation in northern Arizona in areas at 5,500 feet or higher.
Our top morning headlines:
Vaccines Available For Residents 16 And Older At State-Run Sites, ADHS says
State officials will expand COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all residents 16 and older for Arizona’s state-run vaccination sites, Gov. Doug Ducey’s office announced Monday. Appointments will be available for the age group starting March 24 at 8 a.m. The expansion applies to state-run mass vaccination sites, which are currently operating in Tucson and metro-Phoenix; the appointments will also be available at a vaccination site in Yuma County starting Friday, according to Ducey’s office and the Department of Health Services.
“We anticipate more and more vaccine reaching Arizona heading into April, making it possible now to expand prioritization,” ADHS Director Dr. Cara Christ said Monday.
AZDHS estimates the state has administered more than 2.9 million doses so far.
Navajo Nation Mulls School Reopening
Officials on the Navajo Nation are requesting public input as they consider the reopening of schools on the reservation. The Nez-Lizer administration on Monday asked for public comments via mail or e-mail — the Nation currently supports remote learning to mitigate COVID-19 infection rates. Online learning has created complications for households with a lack of internet access on the reservation. A new legislative proposal could reverse the current education recommendations; the Department of Diné Education last week presented a reopening plan, leading to the public comment period.
NAU Unveils Transitional Committee
The members of a transitional committee have been announced as Jose Luis Cruz prepares to serve as Northern Arizona University’s 17th president. The transition team includes graduate and undergraduate students, along with faculty members and administrative staff. The commission includes Flagstaff’s Coordinator for Indigenous Initiatives Rose Toehe; undergraduate student and Black Student Union Community Service Chair Maya Guthrie; and Dr. Gioia Woods, who serves as NAU’s Faculty Senate President, among others.
Cruz earlier this month released an anonymous survey asking university students and staff for input on improving the institution. His term is slated to start June 14.
Navajo County Expands Vaccination To Residents 18 And Older
Navajo County has expanded eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to residents 18 and older. ADHS estimates 17.2% of the county has received a vaccine through the state — though many residents have received vaccines instead through the Indian Health Service. Navajo County now joins Pinal, Gila and Coconino counties in offering the vaccine to all residents 18 and older.
Prescott To Reconsider Parklet Policy As COVID-19 Restrictions Loosen
Prescott’s City Council today will deliberate the possible end of the city’s ongoing parklet program, according to Mayor Greg Mengarelli. The program launched last summer to allow outdoor dining areas in city parking spaces — similar policies have operated in communities nationwide to bolster outdoor dining during the pandemic. Some local community members have expressed concerns over the program, the council agenda says. Governor Doug Ducey on March 5 eliminated capacity limits for restaurants and some bars across the state; the council says Ducey’s loosening of restrictions could prompt an expiration date for the parklet program.
Downward Trend Of Percent Positivity On Hopi Reservation
Hopi tribal officials continue to report a decline in COVID-19 cases after the reservation reached record high numbers in January. On Monday, tribal officials reported nine active cases on the reservation within the past 14 days. The majority of cases were confirmed in Moenkopi. Last Wednesday, the tribe reported only 5% of residents who’d tested for COVID-19 received a positive result — a notable decline from the tribe’s testing positivity rate of 27.8% earlier this year. The Indian Health Service reported in late February about 3,500 patients had received some form of a COVID-19 vaccine through the Hopi Healthcare Center. The facility will hold a vaccine clinic on Saturday for all community members 18 and older in Polacca.
More updates can be found at KUYI Hopi Public Radio.
