East Arizona News

City of Scottsdale issued the following announcement on July 23.

COVID-19 cases jump in Scottsdale. According to the Maricopa County Schools Dashboard, Scottsdale’s cases per 100,000 residents increased to 101.1 cases per 100,000 residents for the week of July 4. Scottsdale is now in high community transmission (more than 100 cases per 100,000 residents) for the first time since February. For context, 101.1 cases per 100,000 means that there are about 263 new cases within the population of Scottsdale over that seven-day period. Nearly all other major Valley cities saw significant increases in their case rates.  

Based on Maricopa County’s Vaccine Dashboard, vaccinations continue to rise slightly. Just over 64 percent of Scottsdale residents received at least the first dose, while 59.2 percent have been fully vaccinated, up from 58.3 percent the previous week. Let’s build a community of immunity. Do you or someone you know need a COVID-19 vaccination? Here’s where to go. 

It’s clear that COVID-19 is far from over. It's been a long 18 months. Nobody wants to think or talk about COVID-19 much anymore. But the hard truth is … it's still here. And the Delta variant is making things worse; statistics prove it. COVID-19 cases are spiking.  

Getting a vaccine can help beat the virus. But generally, fewer people are doing so. According to the CDC Director Rachel Walensky, via an NPR interview, more than 97 percent of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are unvaccinated. And 99.5 percent of deaths are among those unvaccinated.  

Our best defense against the virus is people being and getting vaccinated. The vaccine is effective against the Delta and other variants. While it's still possible to get infected, the vaccine dramatically reduces the risk of serious illness that leads to hospitalization or death. Help build a community of immunity. Find a vaccine. 

Virus variants and vaccines. When a virus is widely circulating in a population and causing many infections, the likelihood of the virus mutating increases. The more opportunities a virus has to spread, the more it replicates – and the more opportunities it has to undergo changes.  

Depending on where the changes are located in the virus’s genetic material, they may affect a virus’s properties, such as transmission or severity. The World Health Organization has been tracking mutations and variants since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. Getting vaccinated is critical in protecting people before they are exposed to the virus and the risk of new variants. Source: WHO 

Vaccines are free. There is not a cost to get a COVID-19 vaccine, regardless of your insurance status. Gov. Doug Ducey issued an executive order in December that ensures Arizonans can receive the COVID-19 vaccine for free as long as the state's public health emergency declaration is in effect. If you do have insurance, you may be asked for it so the provider can bill the insurer for an administrative fee. But you will not be charged. Find a vaccine. 

The vaccine: pregnancy and fertility. There is no evidence that the COVID-19 vaccination causes any problems with pregnancy, including the development of the placenta. In addition, there is no evidence that fertility problems are a side effect of any vaccine, including COVID-19 vaccines. Like all vaccines, scientists are studying COVID-19 vaccines carefully for side effects and will continue to study them for many years. Learn more.  

Here's why you should get the COVID-19 vaccine. They are safe and effective; once you are fully vaccinated, you can start doing more; offer a safer way to help build protection; provide immunity after COVID-19 vaccination; and don’t' contain the live virus that makes you sick with COVID-19. Learn more facts about COVID-19 vaccines. 

Tell us your COVID-19 story. It’s been a year-and-a-half since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In that time, much of the world has changed. More than 600,000 Americans have lost their lives, including nearly 10,500 of our own neighbors here in Maricopa County. Do you have a story to share about your experience with COVID-19 … did you lose a loved one, did you get the virus and are still dealing with its effects, or maybe you dramatically changed something in your life because of it? We’d love to hear from you. Please email Public Information Officer Jan Horne at JHorne@ScottsdaleAZ.gov with details.  

Community Assistance Office is reopening for appointments after COVID-19 shutdown. Effective Monday, Aug. 2, appointments will reopen to the public at the Community Assistance Office. Additionally, in-person annual, quality control and special housing inspections will resume. Learn more about Community Assistance. 

Paiute Neighborhood Center serves 142 people at vaccine event. In a joint effort with the Arizona Department of Health Services, Paiute Neighborhood Center hosted a free vaccine event for the Scottsdale community in early July. City staff supported the event by offering pre-registration and translation assistance. Help Scottsdale become a community of immunity by getting vaccinated. Find a vaccine.  

Vista Del Camino closes out a record-breaking year in response to COVID-19. The center's social services team managed more than 20 funding sources to provide nearly $4.7 million in emergency rent, mortgage and utility assistance, serving more than 700 Scottsdale households. This unprecedented expansion was a more than 600 percent increase over the previous fiscal year, made possible by numerous process improvements and staffing support from across the Community Services division. As Scottsdale's designated Community Action Program office, the center also received nearly $400,000 in reimbursements from Maricopa County for staffing costs.  

The city’s COVID-19 page contains information about the city’s emergency orders, facilities and operations. Learn more here. 

Follow us on Twitter @ScottsdaleAZgov and Facebook fb.me/ScottsdaleAZgov for city COVID-19 updates and other city information.

The city Call Center is available 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays to assist residents via phone – call 480-312-3111.

Visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov to access city services online.

IN OTHER NEWS

Storm causes Scottsdale road and facility closures. A low pressure system coming from the east late Thursday caused significant flooding and storm damage in Scottsdale. Downed trees and steady rainfall throughout the city have impacted several city facilities, roads and areas. Crews are working to restore power, clean up debris and ensure safety across the city in the wake of last night’s storm. 

Both SRP and APS reported power outages this morning in Old Town and south Scottsdale, which are slowly being restored (check with your utility provided for estimated restoration times). 

A flash flood watch remains in effect for Scottsdale and surrounding areas until Saturday evening, according to the National Weather Service. Along with flash flooding, gusty winds and blowing dust are other threats during the weekend's storms. Learn more.    

Construction causes changes in hours and parking at the Pima Dynamite Trailhead. Starting at sunrise Monday, July 26, the trailhead entrance on Dynamite Boulevard will be temporary closed. Visitors will be redirected to the new trailhead entrance on Pima Road just north of Dynamite. The gate opens at 6:15 a.m. and closes at 4 p.m. daily. Hikers must exit the parking lot by 4 p.m. or they will be locked in. The new trailhead building and restrooms will not be open until construction is complete – which is expected in late August. Learn more. 

Scottsdale Police partner with nonprofits on Prescription Drug Take Back event. Safely dispose of unneeded or expired prescription drugs at this free drive-thru event from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, July 31, at the Police District 2 Station, 3700 N. 75th St. Scottsdale Police are partnering with notMYkid, the National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, Aurora Behavioral Health and St. Vincent De Paul. The event also includes a food drive – please bring non-perishable canned and dry foods. We will also provide educational resources for mental health and Naloxone, a medication that rapidly reverses an opioid overdose.   

Mayor’s Constitution Day Contest showcases American pride; offers prizes and recognition for winning entries. Mayor David D. Ortega, with support from the Arizona Association of University Women-Scottsdale Chapter, is hosting a Constitution Day Contest to commemorate the Sept. 17, 1797, signing of the U. S. Constitution. The contest includes art/video and essay categories. Prizes will be awarded in both categories for various age groups. Learn more.  

Parks and Recreation offers classes from A(erobics) to Z(umba). Parks and Recreation fall class registration begins at 8 a.m. Monday, July 26, for residents and 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 27, for non-residents. Browse the schedule at ActiveNet, Scottsdale’s online registration system. 

Slide the Rails at McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. Join the fun from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday Aug. 7, for this wet and wild event – the perfect way to end summer and slide into the new school year. There will be a variety of inflatable water slides and obstacle courses suitable for all ages. New to the event this year will be a bubble foam pit. Cold drinks and tasty treats will be available for purchase. A $10 wristband includes unlimited access to the water attractions, and train and carousel rides. Wristbands are required for everyone 3 and older. Wristbands will be sold onsite the day of the event.

Original source can be found here.