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Message from Supervisor Gates

Dear Friends,

Thank you to the thousands of District 3 residents who joined me for an informative COVID-19 Tele-Town Hall earlier this week. Your questions and participation were excellent. Thank you to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health Executive Director, Marcy Flanagan and Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine for joining us to speak directly to the community about COVID-19 and our response. In these uncertain times I recognize how important it is for leaders to communicate directly with constituents about these important issues. I hope you found the information as useful as I did.

Helping residents stay in their homes and keeping small businesses viable are two priorities of Maricopa County during COVID-19. I am happy to announce that the County’s COVID Crisis Rental Assistance program has successfully dispersed almost $1 million in assistance in the last month. More information about this program and our Small Business Grant Program 2.0 are below.

As always, stay healthy!

Bill

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Update

Updated August 20, 2020

Maricopa County Public Health has an updated data dashboard to better display trends and demographic information related to the spread of COVID-19.  We are seeing some encouraging signs in the daily case count, but it's too early to tell if the curve is flattening. 

Remember: "total number of cases" refers to all confirmed COVID-19 cases in Maricopa County since January, not to the current number of people who have the disease. 

Board of Supervisors Formal Meeting

Covid-19 Data For Schools On A Single Map

Maricopa County Public Health has created a new dashboard tool to help school decision makers assess whether their district or community meets the benchmarks and thresholds for re-opening established by the Arizona Department of Health Services.  A color-coded map shows community wide transmission.  You can search by school or zip code and a pop-up report will provide the area's overall COVID-19 risk level and a recommended learning scenario (in-person, hybrid, virtual).

County Rental Assistance Program Provides Nearly $1 Million in First Month

Maricopa County’s new program to help people who are struggling to pay rent has produced promising results during its first month of operation. Since the County COVID Rental Assistance (CCRA) program launched on July 15, more than 300 households have received a combined 662 months (or $993,000) of paid rent.

The Board of Supervisors approved $30 million in funding for the new program on June 8.  The CCRA service and accompanying automated system were developed, agreements with Community Action Programs (CAPs) were established, staff were recruited, hired, and trained (ongoing), and CCRA launched on July 15. 

Applications are being processed on a first-come, first-served basis. The program allows for retroactive payments beginning in March 2020 and funds will be distributed through mid-December 2020 or when rental assistance funds have been fully expended.

The report is accessible at Maricopa.gov/CovidRentHelp

There are three ways renters can apply for County COVID Rental Assistance:

• Apply on Maricopa.gov/CovidRentHelp
• Apply at one of 13 Community Action sites (listed on maricopa.gov/CovidRentHelp)
• Applicants for the Arizona Department of Housing Rental Assistance program will also be considered

Phase Two of Maricopa County Small Business Relief Program

The Maricopa County Small Business Relief Program is entering a new phase, one that will enable more local businesses and non-profits (501(c)3) to get reimbursed for financial losses incurred during the pandemic.  Applications will be accepted starting today.  More than 300 local businesses and non-profits received grants during phase one of the program in July.

See how the program works and learn how to apply >

Three Ways to Get Help Now

Individuals, families, and businesses can get immediate access to essential services and resources during the pandemic using the websites below: 2-1-1 Arizona: Community information and referral service linking individuals and families to vital community services throughout Arizona. 24-Hour Senior Help Line: A 24-hour information and referral service for seniors, including housing, transportation, home repair, legal, home health aids, and much more! Arizona Together or ArizonaUnido: Find employment, financial, homeowner, renter assistance, access to food, healthcare, mental health, and other community resources across the state. More resources >

Data Reporting Change: Why Public Health Will Now Include Probable Cases In Daily Counts

Maricopa County Public Health has been tracking probable cases since the beginning of the pandemic.  However, we had been reporting confirmed cases only due to a difference in the definition of probable cases from Arizona Department of Health Services as well as the fact that the number of probable cases was very small.   As of today, Maricopa County Public Health is including both confirmed and probable cases in our COVID-19 data reports.  This change is being made because of an upcoming decision to list individuals with a positive antigen test for COVID-19 as probable cases, and to align with state and national definition changes. 628 probable cases and 51 deaths, which have occurred since the beginning of the pandemic, have now been added into Maricopa County counts and epi-curves.  These cases and deaths are distributed throughout the entire pandemic period and have not affected overall trends in data. A death in a probable case is now defined as any death where COVID-19 is listed on the death certificate and no COVID-19 positive PCR test results are available.

Is The Countywide Mask Mandate Working?

The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a countywide mask mandate on June 20 in response to a rapid increase in cases.  Almost exactly 14 days later, COVID-19 case numbers plateaued and began to decline.  Other states and cities who have implemented similar mask requirements have also seen a significant decline in case rates 14 days after the requirement was implemented. While other policies were implemented nearly simultaneously, such as closing bars and gyms statewide, Public Health is confident that the mask requirement played a critical role in reducing the spread of COVID-19 in Maricopa County.

What Are The Benefits of Getting Tested?

Getting tested for COVID-19 gives you important information that will help you make decisions about your own health, the health of your family, and your role in protecting the community.  It also helps public health agencies better understand the spread of the virus and ensures our data is the best it can be. Visit Maricopa.gov/Covid19testing for locations and events.  Visite Maricopa.gov/COVID19Pruebas para localidades cercanas a usted. See a list of ADHS testing sites here >

Cool Off, Find Water and Shelter

Emergency cooling centers and water distribution areas have been established throughout Maricopa County for those who do not have access to indoor cool environments. Cooling centers can be community centers, churches, and other community based organizations that provide water and serve as a safe, cool indoor place during the day for refuge from the heat. Please visit the Heat Relief Regional Network to download lists of sites by region.

View the full-size map of cooling stations and donation sites.

2020 CENSUS

Make your voice count and help your community return stronger.  Participate in the 2020 Census so Arizona receives its fair share of federal funding for infrastructure, emergency response, and community services. Respond To The Census Now

Quick Links

Below please find helpful links and general resources for COVID-19 Maricopa County COVID-19 Daily Updates Peruse all COVID-19 Daily Updates Maricopa County Facebook Maricopa County YouTube Maricopa County Library District Arizona Office of the Governor Arizona Department of Health Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention The White House

Maricopa County Find Work / Get Work

Online listings for employment opportunities are available on the Maricopa County Employment Website. Maricopa County offers careers in a wide variety of public sector professions and new job opportunities are posted on an ongoing basis

Upcoming Library Events

Along with the books and materials you can pick up curbside, the Maricopa County Library District (MCLD), has a wealth of digital resources available.  Access entertainment, learning, and research from your personal device – all free with your library card! For more information visit mcldaz.org or call (602) 652-3000.

District 3 Community Events

All Events Cancelled Until Further Notice

Looking for a Maricopa County Contact?

Below is a contact list for Maricopa County constituent services. Don't see what your looking for? Visit our County Contacts Webpage.

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William Gates

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Contact District 3

Phone: (602) 506-7562
Email: District3@maricopa.gov