Arizona COVID-19 cumulative counts, Dec. 14
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Select regional and national coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic as of Tuesday, April 21. For more coverage, visit our resource page. This story may be updated.
UA researchers look to fill data gap with text message survey
AZPM, April 21
Researchers at the University of Arizona have launched a text message survey to collect information about the COVID-19 outbreak directly from households.
The survey will help fill critical gaps in data about the virus, said Kacey Ernst, an infectious disease epidemiologist at the UA.
Participants will be asked in the weekly survey about health and wellness conditions for everyone in their household. But the survey will go beyond identifying those who may be sick. It will also collect information about the challenges people are facing from lockdowns, including access to food or how they are coping emotionally.
Learn more here. To take part, text “JOIN” for the English-language survey or "UNIRSE" for the Spanish-language version to 1-833-410-0546.
Federal aid for businesses can't come soon enough
AZPM, April 21
At first, the aid from the federal CARES Act seemed abundant. Karen Hinderberger applied for federal loans at big banks, and at small banks. She tried to get help from a nonprofit agency. She applied for the Paycheck Protection Program four times.
But she hasn't gotten anything.
"Everybody wants money. Nobody's getting money right now," she said.
Poll: Most Arizonans staying home
AZPM, April 21
Since Gov. Doug Ducey announced his stay-at-home order March 30, most Arizona residents have heeded his call, according to a new poll.
The OH Predictive Insights poll showed that 82% of Arizonans say they are not leaving the house at all or are leaving only if they must. Of the 16% who are going out, 13% say they are “still being careful.”
The poll suggested most Arizona residents also approve of how Ducey is handling the pandemic.
Arizona distributed $150M in unemployment claims last week
AZPM, April 21
The Arizona Department of Economic Security paid out $150.9 million in unemployment compensation last week. The payout was a record amount for the state. The payments included $600 in additional weekly compensation from the federal government as part of the CARES Act.
Pascua Yaqui Tribe increasing coronavirus testing, though supplies 'extremely limited'
AZPM, April 21
The Pascua Yaqui Health Services Division has started to offer more COVID-19 screening and testing.
The tribal government outlined the plan in a press release and video on Facebook Friday, saying it would begin Monday to screen tribal members and employees of the tribal government and its two casinos. It will also offer the screenings to people working for the Pascua Yaqui Development Corporation and its subsidiaries.
Carlos Flores, chief of the tribe’s fire department and its emergency response coordinator, said the Health Department now has a machine that can quickly test for COVID-19. He said it is waiting for more tests to arrive, but for now, supplies are limited to "the double digits."
Trump vows to 'suspend immigration' to US because of virus
AP, April 21
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump says he will sign an executive order “to temporarily suspend immigration into the United States” because of the coronavirus.
It's a return to a divisive issue at a time of national crisis. But he has offered no details about which immigration programs might be affected by the order. Due to the pandemic, almost all visa processing by the State Department already has been suspended for weeks. Travel to the U.S. has been restricted from much of the globe, including China, Europe, Mexico and Canada. And Trump has used the virus to effectively end asylum at U.S. borders, something Congress, the courts and international law hadn’t previously allowed.
Big unknowns about virus complicate getting back to normal
AP, April 21
WASHINGTON (AP) — Some scientific unknowns about COVID-19 are complicating efforts to reopen the economy. The issues go beyond the logistics of how many tests are available.
For example, it's not yet clear how often people can spread the virus without showing symptoms. Doctors assume that people who've gotten sick and recovered have some immunity but no one yet knows how long it lasts. And do those who were seriously ill have more immunity than those with mild or no symptoms? Then there are questions about what else, beyond age and overall health, determines who crashes and who recovers.
Virus misinformation flourishes in online protest groups
AP, April 21
CHICAGO (AP) — A wave of Facebook groups launched by pro-gun advocacy groups and conservative activists has mobilized people to protest stay-at-home orders in states around the country.
The pages have gained nearly 1 million followers in a matter of days and have become hotbeds for misinformation, conspiracy theories and skepticism around the coronavirus pandemic and health officials. There’s little basis in reality for many of the claims on the sites.
The coronavirus has infected millions of people worldwide. Stay-at-home orders have been used by governments across the world to try to contain the spread, as recommended by the world’s top health officials.
US extends protocol to speed border deportations
Fronteras Desk, April 20
The U.S. government has extended for another month the health protocols it used to quickly deport people crossing the border illegally. The order will remain until May 20 at least.
The order is slated to be published Wednesday in the Federal Register and calls for the prevention of entry of anyone from any country where a communicable disease exists.
Banner Health hospitals to run 'grocery stores' for workers
AP, April 20
PHOENIX (AP) — Banner Health is setting up makeshift grocery stores for workers on the front lines tending to coronavirus patients.
The provider announced Monday that select metro Phoenix hospitals will have on-site locations where health care workers can pick up provisions. Fruits, vegetables, bread, dairy products and eggs are among the essentials that will be available to physicians, nurses and other staff at a discounted price. Banner officials say they hope to ease the burden for workers who are putting in especially long shifts.
The facilities that will offer groceries are in Queen Creek, Glendale, Scottsdale and Phoenix. In Mesa, Banner Desert Medical Center will instead have grocery boxes available to buy.
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