Getting vaccinated saves lives, dramatically reduces infection rates, and keeps kids in school.
As of August 5, nearly 4.3 million children have tested positive for COVID-19 since the onset of the pandemic. Almost 94,000 cases were added the past week, a continuing substantial increase. After declining in early summer, child cases have steadily increased since the beginning of July. Banner Health, Arizona’s largest health care system, admitted 71 COVID-19 positive pediatric patients in July, which was double the number it admitted in June, Banner’s chief clinical officer Dr. Marjorie Bessel said during a briefing this week. It’s rare for a child to experience severe COVID-19 infection, but it can happen, thus the reason to control the spread in our schools as much as possible.
Will Humble, Executive Director of Arizona Public Health Association said in his blog, “Identifying COVID cases early and removing infected kids and their unvaccinated close contacts can prevent cascades of classroom cases and improve the chances for in-person school. Federal funds allow schools to do both diagnostic testing of symptomatic kids and staff and surveillance screening testing to help schools identify infected individuals without symptoms so they can take action to prevent further transmission.” YCCHS has been providing schools with the BinaxNOW at-home testing kits, and area schools can contact the health department for theses free test kits.
What Should I Do if My Child Has Symptoms of COVID-19? Call your doctor if your child has a fever, cough, trouble breathing, sore throat, or just doesn’t feel well. If your child has been near someone with coronavirus or been in an area where lots of people have it, tell the doctor. Talk about whether your child needs a test for coronavirus and/or the flu. Please do not send them to school!
Yavapai County reports 318 COVID-19 cases and 2 Deaths since Tuesday, August 10. The county has tested 131,707 residents for COVID-19 and there have been 21,609 positive cases and 555 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. YCCHS is aware the FDA has authorized a third dose for certain immunocompromised populations; however, we cannot provide a third dose until the CDC updates recommendations after the vote today.
Yavapai Regional Medical Center reports 39 COVID-19 patients (32 in Prescott/7 in Prescott Valley), VVMC reports 20, and the VA has 2 COVID-19 patients.
If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or what seems to be a bad cold, please get tested for COVID-19. Testing sites: https://yavapaiaz.gov/Portals/39/COVID-19/TestingSitesinYavapaiCounty.pdf.
The best way to avoid getting infected is to get vaccinated. The vaccines are safe, effective, and free. Here are the best sources to contact to make an appointment for the COVID-19 vaccines:
· YRMC: https://www.yrmc.org/support-and-community/covid-19/covid-19-vaccinations
· Spectrum Healthcare: https://www.spectrumhealthcare-group.com/vaccine/ – 877-634-7333 or 1-844-943-8273 for the Anywhere Care team come to your home.
· Yavapai Community Health Services – 928-771-3122 for appointments. Vaccine Information Page : https://yavapaiaz.gov/chs/Home/COVID-19/COVID-19-Vaccine-Appointments
· Community Health Center of Yavapai – 928-583-1000
