Maricopa Currents: County News for You

Maricopa County Internal sent this bulletin at 07/27/2020 08:00 AM MST

Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

COUNTY NEWS ROOM | July 27, 2020

Free COVID-19 Testing for County Employees

Free COVID-19 Testing for Employees

We want to make it easier to know for sure whether you or someone in your household has COVID-19.

Maricopa County has established six, employee-dedicated COVID-19 testing sites exclusively for County employees, their immediate families, and those who live in their household (limited to ages 12 and older). This includes those in elected offices, too. Here's what you should know:

You do not need to have symptoms to get a test.
There is no cost and no insurance required. Just pick a location and register.
Registration is available online 24/7; however, you must register by 2:00 pm for an appointment the next day.

Tests are administered by a health care professional with guaranteed results through a confidential portal within 2 days.

Want more information?

List of locations with maps >

Register and make an appointment >

Message from County Manager Joy Rich >

*You can also call our Benefits experts at 602-506-1010 for more information.

HEADLINE STORIES

100,000+ Cases

Maricopa County recently surpassed 100,000 total COVID-19 cases since January. Here are a few numbers to provide context to where we are:

More than 90% of our total cases have been reported since June 1. Nearly 50% were reported in the first three weeks of July. These trends indicate increased transmission in our community.
In the weeks following the countywide mask mandate, we have begun trending downward in terms of daily cases.
Since January, 63% of all COVID-19 cases have been among those age 44 or younger. Early in the pandemic, most reported cases were among people age 65 and older.
An estimated 40% of COVID-19 patients are either asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic, meaning they could be spreading the disease without being aware they have it.
More than 250 Public Health volunteers have contributed 5,000+ hours of their time to the COVID-19 response.

Medical Examiner's COVID-19 Role

The Office of the Medical Examiner performs medical investigations of sudden, unexpected, and/or traumatic deaths to enhance the health and safety of everyone in our community. Once the medical examination is completed, the body is released to the family. The family works with a service provider (funeral home, mortuary, etc.) to obtain the body. Very few OME cases (a little more than 100 to date) are COVID-19 positive cases. However, OME is impacted by any backlog in cases at funeral homes. Maricopa County Unified Command has obtained emergency portable coolers, as a precaution. To date, the Office of the Medical Examiner has not needed to use those coolers.

What's Ahead for Schools?

Many parents still don't know what the school year will look like. Statewide benchmarks for reopening schools for in-person instruction are still being developed. During this uncertain time, county leadership has provided guidance for teleworking employees with school-aged children. The guidance makes it clear that employees in appointed departments—in consultation with their supervisors—have options when trying to juggle work responsibilities and child care.

Statewide "Open for Learning" Plan >

Maricopa County Public Health's Recommendations for Schools That Reopen In-Person (VIDEO) >

FEATURED ARTICLES

Election Update

Thank you to county employees who have answered the call to volunteer with our Elections Department as we look to run a best-in-class election! You can still become a paid volunteer by emailing your name and contact information to the Elections Department at workelections@risc.maricopa.gov.

In the meantime, dozens of vote Centers are open across Maricopa County (even on weekends!) for people who want to vote in person for the August Primary Election. Safety measures are in place, and in-person voters are strongly encouraged to wear masks.

Sandbag Season

Parts of the Valley finally got some rain last week. Are you ready for the monsoon to ramp up? Flood Control District has a bunch of resources on its new monsoon website, including information on how to properly fill sandbags to protect your property from flooding.

Learn more at Maricopa.gov/Monsoon >

Rental Assistance

Maricopa County is working to prevent evictions by offering a new rental assistance program for residents outside of the cities of Phoenix and Mesa who have been impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. The program, funded through the CARES Act, would offer as many as 6,000 households up to three months of rent.

Virtual Inspections

Maricopa County is now offering a faster way to get certain home renovation projects inspected. The Planning and Development Department just rolled out virtual inspections for certain permits.

Learn more >

CAPTION CONTEST

Congratulations, Amarachi Obi!

This dog is living the struggle of life in the Valley of the Sun in the summertime. Amarachi Obi with Public Health had our winning caption this week, perfecting describing the dilemma: "Too hot outside but need a blanket inside. Why, AZ? Whyyyy?!" Thanks to Amarachi and to everyone who sent in a caption!

Now for this issue's photo...

Submit your caption online

Ashley Pierce with MCSO sent us this security camera image of her cat, Linus. Got a caption for it? Send it our way using the link above, or email us your favorite pet pic and we may use it in a future issue of Currents!

IN THE NEWS

Maricopa County recommendations for schools include masks, what to do if someone on campus tests positive for COVID-19

via 12 News

County Offers COVID-19 Grants To Small Businesses, Nonprofits

via KJZZ

Major Arizona lab says it's boosting test capacity while cutting backlog

via 12 News

Gov. Ducey announces statewide mask campaign; 'Tougher than COVID'

via KTAR

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 now >