We know that most people recover from COVID-19, but we don’t fully understand how the virus might impact them in the long-term.  A report from the CDC earlier this summer suggests that some people—including those with mild illness—experience symptoms of COVID-19 for several weeks after their diagnosis.  35% of those surveyed by the agency said they still weren't back to their usual good health two to three weeks after testing positive for the disease.  Older adult and people with chronic health conditions tend to have longer-lasting symptoms, but even among young adults (aged 18-34), 20% had not returned to normal health two to three weeks after testing positive for COVID-19.

The best way to avoid getting the virus is to limit your exposure by staying home when possible, keeping six feet of distance from others in public, and wearing a well-fitted mask when away from home, when around others who do not live with you, and when you can’t maintain physical distance.

Maricopa County Public Health has made it easy for people who think they may have COVID-19 to get the information they need. 

Coronavirus symptom checker: Enter your symptoms and some basic information about yourself and find out whether you should get tested for COVID-19.

Find a testing site: We’ve compiled a list of county-sponsored testing events as well as testing locations supported by Arizona Department of Health Services.

Got tested?  Here are your next steps: See what you should be doing while you’re waiting for your test result.

If you test positive for COVID-19, you will get a call or text from Maricopa County Public Health.  Each case is contacted at least three times using a combination of the following methods:

• automated phone call
• human phone call
• two text messages
• and standard mail

Learn more about contact tracing >

This fall and winter, getting a flu vaccine will be more important than ever since hospitals, clinics, and doctors’ offices are likely to be busy caring for people with severe symptoms of flu or COVID-19.  Getting a flu vaccine will:

• help keep you and your loved ones out of the medical setting, and
• help save scarce medical resources to care for those with severe symptoms of either flu or COVID-19.

A flu vaccine also helps protect the frontline health care workers who will be caring for people sick with respiratory illnesses this fall and winter.  Public Health is offering free flu shots for anyone 6 months through 18 years of age at its immunization clinics.  Please call ahead to ensure vaccine is available and then make an appointment.

Learn more about the flu >

This year has reminded all of us of the value of being prepared for the unexpected.  With that mind, the Department Emergency Management wants to hear from you!  Our annual Community Preparedness Survey is available in English and Spanish from now through September 30, 2020.  There are 13 questions in this survey, and it should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete.  Help us gauge resident preparedness and improve our emergency messaging!

Take the survey (English)

Take the survey (Spanish)

Beginning October 1, Maricopa County’s Parks and Recreation Department will bring back the popular Buy One, Get One camping promotion!  The promotion allows park visitors who pay the camping fee for one night, or more, at a desert mountain county park to receive one night of equal or lesser value for free during that same stay.

More information>

Don’t forget to complete your 2020 Census.  It’s easy, secure, and important.  An accurate count means Arizona will receive its fair share of federal funding for infrastructure, emergency response, and community services.  Will you help?