REVISED: Maricopa County News Update: Week of Aug 30

Maricopa County, Arizona sent this bulletin at 08/31/2021 08:00 AM MST

We're Hiring COVID-19 Relief Vaccine FAQs

LATEST INFORMATION

Public Health
Briefs Board of Supervisors on COVID-19 Spread

Unvaccinated people make up 90% of COVID-19 hospitalizations
View entire presentation

COVID-19 Cases Rise Among Children

3x as many school outbreaks in August as previous peak in February 2021; 1 in 4 COVID-19 cases since Delta started are in children
View school data

Rain
Forecasted
This Week

Monsoon storms
return in
coming days
View weather outlook from Flood Control

TODAY'S KEY MESSAGE

Unvaccinated Individuals Are 29 Times More Likely
To Be Hospitalized

Maricopa County Public Health provided the Board of Supervisors with sobering statistics about how COVID-19 (and especially the Delta variant) affects people who who are not vaccinated. People who are unvaccinated have 5x more COVID-19 infections than those who are fully vaccinated and have 29x more COVID-19 hospitalizations than those who are fully vaccinated. The best way to protect yourself from getting really sick from COVID-19 is to get fully vaccinated and to wear a mask when indoors with people you don’t live with.

If you still need to be vaccinated, you can find a location near you on our COVID-19 vaccine map.

WATCH: Maricopa County Man Promotes COVID-19 Vaccines After Loss of Loved One >

Have a question about vaccines? Get the facts >

Stats On Delta Variant And Children

The Delta variant is infecting more children than earlier strains of COVID-19. The latest data from Maricopa County Public Health show 1 in 4 COVID-19 cases are among children (VIEW VIDEO EXPLANATION), and 1 in 6 cases are among children under 12 years old (this group cannot get vaccinated yet). Public Health is seeing cases increase significantly with the start of the school, and there are three times as many school outbreaks now as there were at during the previous peak in February 2021.

View school outbreak data (click on Schools tab) >

View school data dashboard >

What About Natural Immunity?

Some people believe that they don’t need a vaccine if they’ve already had COVID-19. The truth is, natural immunity only provides protection against the strain of the virus you get (not all strains), and it does not provide protection that is as strong or as long as getting the vaccine.

Research on pre-existing immunity and mRNA vaccines shows (see published study) that individuals who are vaccinated after recovering from COVID-19 had an immune response 1,000 times stronger after being vaccinated than those who are not vaccinated, and that the vaccine provides some immunity against other COVID-19 strains that does not occur after natural infection.

Need A Test?

If you have COVID-like symptoms (which can appear similar to the common cold), you should get tested for COVID-19. Demand for testing has increased in recent weeks, so if you need a site, you can find ongoing locations and special testing events at Maricopa.gov/COVID19Testing.

What Public Health is Doing to Fight COVID-19

Maricopa County Public Health is working diligently to respond to the pandemic. Among the highlights:

Hosted 250 pop-up vaccination events with community partners so far;
Supported 1,620 vaccination events in long-term care facilities;
Organized 477 COVID-19 testing events (53 in August); and
Conducted informative webinars and meetings for schools, healthcare providers, municipalities, and other partners through the pandemic.

To see some of the innovations that have improved case investigation and notification, go to 49:15 in today’s presentation.

NEWS BITES

Mosquito Fogging and why you may need it at your home

Soaring temperatures and monsoon season has attracted a high number of mosquitoes to Maricopa County. Mosquitoes may carry West Nile Virus. If there are 30 or more female mosquitos or 300 or more of any other type of mosquito or a positive test for West Nile Virus or another Vector borne illness, Vector Control will come fog.

According to Vector Control, the best way to prevent mosquitoes is to remove standing water!

El Mirage Breaks Ground on New Library

The City of El Mirage is renovating and repurposing their old firehouse into a new state of the art library that is 2 and a half times the size of their current library.
Maricopa County is collaborating with the City of El Mirage on the project. The Board of Supervisors approved $415,000 to fund an 1,100 square foot programming room that will house education classes, workforce development programs, and small business support.

Don’t forget to sign up for your local library card!

September is Library Card Sign Up Month which was established back in 1987. Library cards help students access books and the internet as they head back to school. Any Maricopa County resident or business owner can get a library card for free.
Learn More >

A Proclamation from Gila Bend’s Mayor to the Board of Supervisors

Mayor of Gila Bend, Chris Riggs, issued a proclamation thanking the Board of Supervisors for their approval of funds to aid with recovery after the devastating flooding in Gila Bend. The Board of Supervisors approved $500,000 in aid which allowed county services to assist in rescue and recovery.

Heat Tips! It is still August in Arizona!

We had a heat advisory all last week so even though September is almost here, in Arizona we still have to worry about temperatures over 100 degrees! Here are some heat tips to keep you and your loved ones safe from Arizona’s scorching temps.

1) Drink plenty of water even when you don’t feel thirsty
2) Make sure to provide shade an water for your pet too!
3) Look Before You Lock. Do not leave your kids or pets in hot car! It can be deadly!
4) Wear a hat or carry an umbrella
5) Wear sunscreen and loose fitting light-colored clothing

You can adopt a dog or cat right now for just $25!

Shelters in Maricopa County are at full capacity due to it being puppy and kitty season and people no longer adopting “pandemic pets.” In an effort to find "furever homes" for as many of these furry friends as possible, Animal Care and Control is offering adoption for just $25. That $25 covers spay/neutering of your new pet, microchipping, and vaccination.

PETS AND PLACES

Pet of the Week

Stella

Three legs, no problem! Stella is a lovable older lady who can't wait to greet her new family when they come home every day. She's a gentle girl who enjoys going for walks, chilling in kiddie pools, and leaning into your petting to make sure she's soaking up as much attention as possible. She would like to be the only pet in her new home, but has done very well meeting children in the past and may enjoy having some kiddos in her new family!

View All Adoptable Pets & Find A Forever Friend

Place of the Week

Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area

Looking for something to do with the family?
Check out Spur Cross Ranch Conservation Area!

Bring the kids and get a look at the plants and animals that live in the riparian area along a perennial stretch of Cave Creek! The “Life Along the Creek” hike will take you through the jewel of the Creek Preserve and along the lower Dragonfly Trail for one and a half miles. Meet in the main Spur Cross parking area at 7 am Saturday September 4^th.
Are you a night owl? Attend the Moonlight Hike at Spur Cross on Saturday September 18^th at 7 pm. The conservation area is a whole different experience when lit by moonlight. Bring a flash light but we try to use them as little as possible. Meet at the Trailhead area where restrooms and picnic tables are located. Call the Nature Center at 602-506-9530 to pre-register.
Join us for a 2.5 mile hike that will introduce you to the rich archaeological history of the Hohokam Ruins of Spur Cross. See evidence of Pre-historic Hohokam dwellings and learn about their culture as we trek up to one of their mesa-top compounds. Bring plenty of water! Meet at the Trailhead area Saturday September 25^th at 7 am. Pre-registration is required.
If you would like to buy an annual pass to the park, click here.
To make a camping reservation click here.