Welcome to the Summer 2021 issue of Consumer Health and Food Safety Newsletter

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Summer 2021 - Vol. 1, No. 3

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Supervisors rescind COVID-19 emergency resolution

The Pima County Board of Supervisors, in a 3-2 vote July 6, rescinded a resolution from March 19, 2020, that declared a state of emergency because of the COVID-19 pandemic.The emergency declaration authority had allowed the Board to take immediate and urgent actions that included regulating businesses, limiting gatherings and requiring mask wearing in public as cases began to rise, eventually peaking in late December/early January. All those restrictions had already been lifted by state or local actions before the July 6 vote.

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mosquito inspection

Prevent mosquitoes this summer before they get out of control

Summer is right around the corner and with it comes camping, swimming, and mosquitoes. 

Mosquitoes have been the bane of summer since the dawn of time. When summer arrives the presence of the mosquitoes feels inescapable. Mosquitoes are not only irritating; they also pose a health risk to humans. Mosquitoes, also known as a vector, have the ability to transmit diseases such as Dengue, West Nile virus and Zika virus. If mosquito bites and vector borne diseases are something you want to avoid this summer, just remember keeping mosquitoes away from your home both inside and out is a great way to reduce your chances of a bite.

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Food handler

CHFS offering free online Food Handler Certificate Program through 2021

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to get your employees Food Handler Certified for free. Pima County is currently covering the costs for an online course through ServSafe that can be done from anywhere as long as there is an internet connection available.

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pool

Beware of unseen hazards out by the pool

With temperatures rising and vaccines readily available, we are looking at a very busy summer for pools, spas and splash pads. There is no evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted via pool water but there are still plenty of hazards to look out for while either taking your family swimming or maintaining your facility’s pool.

Learn what you can do to keep your pools, spas and splash pads safe.

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Permitting process

Learn the ins and outs of the permitting process

Throughout the pandemic the Consumer Health and Food Safety Division has tried to come up with new solutions to minimize the negative effects of the pandemic on businesses. One of the steps taken was to temporarily suspend the final fee increase for operating permits that was set to kick in on January 1, 2020, with approval from the Board of Supervisors.

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Patti Henderson

Meet the Team

In each issue of our newsletter, we like to introduce you to a member of our team. These are the folks out on the front lines assisting all of you in helping prevent the spread of foodborne illness, waterborne illness, and public health nuisances while encouraging all business to follow CDC guidance on COVID-19 mitigation.

Meet 12-year veteran Patti Mahaney Henderson

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service dog

Help make the most of the dog days of summer

Summertime is here and though the snowbirds have migrated back up north, many of us would like our best friend to remain loyally at our side. So in these dog days of summer, where can you and your pal go to beat the heat, soak up some summer fun and not end up in the dog house?

We'll explore where you can and can't go with your faithful friend.

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bugs

Keep pests at bay with these helpful reminders

Pest control is a year-round process. During the spring and summertime, outdoor pests are more active both inside and outside restaurant facilities. During cooler months pests may remain on your premises.

Proactive procedures focusing on prevention are the best way to control pests in restaurant facilities.

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inspection

Interns assist County in analyzing inspection data

Consumer Health and Food Safety has steadily hosted interns since 2018. More recently, these interns have been focused on analyzing inspection data with the implementation of Hedgehog, the County’s electronic inspection system.

This electronic data has made it easier to analyze and conduct a baseline study on how Pima County facilities control foodborne illness risk factors within their facility. This data review will inform the County’s preventive food safety management system known as “Active Managerial Control.”

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