It’s Tuesday, March 23rd. The Arizona Department of Health reported this morning that 26.8% of the state’s population has received at least one COVID-19 vaccine. The National Weather Service predicts snow build-up in northern Arizona in areas of elevation of 5,500 feet or more.
Our top morning headlines:
According to ADHD, vaccines are available in state locations to residents 16 and older
State officials will extend eligibility for COVID-19 vaccines to all residents 16 and over for state vaccination centers in Arizona, Governor Doug Ducey’s office said Monday. Dates for the age group are available from March 24th at 8 a.m. The expansion applies to state mass vaccination centers currently operating in Tucson and Metro-Phoenix. According to Ducey’s office and the Department of Health Services, appointments will also be available from Friday at a vaccination center in Yuma County.
“We expect more and more vaccines to be available in Arizona in April, so the prioritization can now be expanded,” said ADHD Director Dr. Cara Christ on Monday.
AZDHS estimates the state has administered more than 2.9 million doses to date.
Navajo Nation Mulls School reopens
Navajo Nation officials are asking for public contributions as they consider reopening schools on the reservation. The Nez-Lizer administration asked for public comments by mail or email on Monday. The nation is currently supporting distance learning to help lower COVID-19 infection rates. Online learning has created complications for households who do not have internet access to make reservations. A new legislative proposal could reverse the current educational recommendations. Diné’s Ministry of Education presented a reopening plan last week, which led to the public comment phase.
NAU introduces transition committee
The members of a transition committee were announced as Jose Luis Cruz prepares to serve as the 17th president of Northern Arizona University. The transition team consists of PhD and undergraduate students as well as faculty and administrative staff. The commission includes Flagstaff’s Indigenous Initiatives Coordinator Rose Toehe; Student and Chair of the Black Student Union Community Service Maya Guthrie; and Dr. Gioia Woods, who serves, among other things, as Senate President of the faculty of the NAU.
Cruz released an anonymous survey earlier this month asking students and staff to contribute to improving the facility. His term of office is scheduled to begin on June 14th.
Navajo County is expanding vaccination to residents 18 years of age and older
Navajo County has extended eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine to residents 18 years of age and older. ADHD estimates that 17.2% of the county received a vaccine through the state – although many residents received vaccines through the Indian Health Service instead. Navajo County, together with Pinal, Gila and Coconino counties, is now offering the vaccine to residents aged 18 and over.
Prescott will review the Parklet Policy if the COVID-19 restrictions relax
According to Mayor Greg Mengarelli, Prescott City Council will today consider the possible end of the city’s ongoing Parklet program. The program was launched last summer to provide outdoor dining areas in urban parking lots. Similar measures have been taken in the country’s communities to encourage outdoor eating during the pandemic. Some members of the local community have raised concerns about the program, the council’s agenda said. Governor Doug Ducey removed capacity restrictions on restaurants and some bars across the state on March 5. The council says Ducey’s relaxation of restrictions could lead to an expiration date for the Parklet program.
Downward trend in the percentage positivity of the Hopi reservation
Hopi tribal officials continue to report a decline in COVID-19 cases after the reservation hit a record high in January. On Monday, tribal officials reported nine active cases on the reservation in the past 14 days. The majority of the cases were confirmed in Moenkopi. Last Wednesday, the tribe reported that only 5% of residents who tested for COVID-19 had received a positive result – a remarkable drop from the tribe’s test positivity rate of 27.8% earlier this year. The Indian Health Service reported in late February that around 3,500 patients had received some form of COVID-19 vaccine through the Hopi Healthcare Center. The facility will hold a vaccination clinic for all parishioners aged 18 and over in Polacca on Saturday.
Check out the KUYI Hopi Public Radio for more updates.
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