COVID-19 Update from Health and Emergency Management

UPDATED  April 30 ,  2020 
 13  POSITIVE CASES OF COVID-19 CONFIRMED in GiLA COUNTY   

On April 29 Gila County Public Health Department confirmed  a Globe woman in her 40s is case #13 tested positive for covid-19; the  report adds she had miimal contacts -- and transmission has been traced to close contact with another known positive.  Case #12 reported last week was a Globe male in his 50s,  also minimal contact with others, but in that case transmission is likely to have been community spread.  During April one case was confirmed  in Hayden-Winkelman, 5  in Payson and a total of 7  in Globe and four -- these remain under investigation by Public Health professionals.  Only one of the 13 patients was hospitalized,  he has been released to continue recovering  while self-quantined at home -- others are recovering at home, without requiring hospitalization.  

Out of Work, Business Closed -- or Need Financial Help?
Gila County Community Services posted this resource page 

 Most people who contract COVID-19  have symptoms similar to the flu: fever, coughing and shortness of breath -- and most recover at home.  
Gila County Public Health Department  reports  local statisics daily:   as of April 27 in Gila County   607 people have been tested -- of these  594  were ruled-out and negative for COVID-19 .  Daily updates are posted on Facebook at 
https://www.facebook.com/gilacohealthem/
The Arizona Department of Health
reports 304 fatalities  statewide attributable to COVID-19 
Arizona has 7,200    confirmed COVID-19 cases across the state, 
with a statewide total of  68,000 tests conducted  in Arizona 

Follow these prevention guidelines to help prevent infection:

• CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing
measures are difficult to maintain -- such as grocery stores and pharmacies
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, immediately dispose of  tissues in the trash
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
  • COVID-19 is widespread in Arizona with cases now in all 15 counties

Gila County's first two cases included a Payson woman in her 40s. This case is not travel related, showing the first evidence of community spread in Gila County.  The patient is employed at the Walmart Supercenter in Payson, and public health investigators are interviewing Walmart management to determine  close contacts the employee may have had during the final weeks of March. Gila County's first confirmed case was also a  Payson woman in her 40s; who self-quarantined and recovered at home.  The first case was deemed travel-related, and  with no evidence of community spread - and  low threat to the community, because the patient followed guidelines to self-isolated since the beginning of her symptoms. 
Questions about covid-19?  During weekday business hours call the Gila County Health Emergency Operations Center (928) 402-8888 
 Bars, theaters, gyms and indoor fitness clubs in Gila County remain closed to public access until further notice. Restaurants within Gila County are also closed to on-site dining,  but allowed to serve the public through pickup, delivery, and drive-through options.  Cafeterias at nursing homes, hospitals, and similar facilities as well as soup kitchens that provide meals to the needy are not subject to these restrictions and may continue normal operations while taking precautions to ensure social distancing and appropriate hygiene according to Centers for Disease Control and preventions standards. 

SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF 

Read more - and download the 
USChamber Small Business ELA Loan Guide 2020

Additional executive orders from the governor's office address :
* Telemedicine For Pets And Animals * Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected * Continuity Of Work *  Increasing Hospital Capacity For COVID-19 Preparedness * 
Expansion Of Telemedicine * Postponement Of Eviction Actions * Prohibiting The Closure Of Essential Services
* Ensuring Individuals Whose Employment Is Affected By COVID-19 Have Access To Unemployment Insurance * READ THESE AND MORE AT 
https://azgovernor.gov/executive-orders

 • The Arizona Poison Control System is also available to answer questions about COVID-19 from Arizona providers (for testing and patient guidance) and the general public (for testing, isolation, and quarantine guidance) at 1-844-542-8201

• COVID-19 Hotline call 2-1-1 from 8 to 8 p.m. each day of the week
• For COVID-19 information en Espanol, see www.azdhs.gov/COVID-19

  Gila County's Health and Emergency Management team have tracked the disease since January, and are in direct daily contact with state and federal medical experts to keep local residents updated - and healthy.  Gila County's Health and Emergency Management also leads a daily conference call including police and fire first responders, local hospitals in Globe and Payson; and elected leaders of the county, Globe, Payson and other towns within Gila County.  

  *  In Arizona the level of community spread is still listed as "widespread," with  community risk "increasing, with some areas of heightened risk"