The mission of the Health Department is to promote, protect and improve the health and wellness of individuals and communities in La Paz County.
3/17/20 COVID-19 Update - La Paz County has zero confirmed cases.
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)The Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center is now available to take COVID-19 calls from Arizona providers and the general public: 1-844-542-8201
We want to make sure you have the latest on COVID-19.
WATCH AN UPDATE FROM GOVERNOR DUCEY.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 (previously known as novel coronavirus) is a respiratory disease that has very similar symptoms to the seasonal flu. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. It's spread person-to-person either from close contact with an infected person or contact with respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The people most at risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 are those with recent travel to an area with ongoing transmission of the disease, and people with close contact to someone diagnosed or suspected of having the disease. The majority of people who contract the disease have mild symptoms. The elderly and/or those with underlying chronic medical conditions have a higher risk.
Arizona currently has 18 cases (8 in Maricopa County, 5 in Pinal County, 4 in Pima County and 1 in Graham). Daily updates on the number of cases can be found at azhealth.gov/COVID19.
What can you do to protect yourself?
The best ways to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses are to:
What to do if you think you should be tested for COVID-19:
Call your healthcare professional if you feel sick with a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if you live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19. Your healthcare provider will work with the local health department and ADHS to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
For more answers to frequently asked questions and information about the COVID-19 response in Arizona, go online to azhealth.gov/COVID19.
What action is Arizona taking?
What does the Governor's Executive Order do?
The Governor's Executive Order is aimed at protecting Arizonans and populations at high-risk of serious complications from this virus. The order:
What does the Governor's Emergency Declaration do?
The Emergency Declaration provides the following tools to address the spread of COVID-19, by:
WATCH AN UPDATE FROM GOVERNOR DUCEY.
What is COVID-19?
COVID-19 (previously known as novel coronavirus) is a respiratory disease that has very similar symptoms to the seasonal flu. Symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath. It's spread person-to-person either from close contact with an infected person or contact with respiratory droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The people most at risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 are those with recent travel to an area with ongoing transmission of the disease, and people with close contact to someone diagnosed or suspected of having the disease. The majority of people who contract the disease have mild symptoms. The elderly and/or those with underlying chronic medical conditions have a higher risk.
Arizona currently has 18 cases (8 in Maricopa County, 5 in Pinal County, 4 in Pima County and 1 in Graham). Daily updates on the number of cases can be found at azhealth.gov/COVID19.
What can you do to protect yourself?
The best ways to prevent the spread of respiratory viruses are to:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
What to do if you think you should be tested for COVID-19:
Call your healthcare professional if you feel sick with a fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, and have been in close contact with a person known to have COVID-19, or if you live in or have recently traveled from an area with ongoing spread of COVID-19. Your healthcare provider will work with the local health department and ADHS to determine if you need to be tested for COVID-19.
For more answers to frequently asked questions and information about the COVID-19 response in Arizona, go online to azhealth.gov/COVID19.
What action is Arizona taking?
- On January 27, 2020, the state activated the Health Emergency Operations Center to track suspected and confirmed cases of COVID-19 at the local, national and global level.
- On March 2, 2020, Arizona became one of the first states in the nation to be certified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to test for COVID-19.
- On March 4, 2020, Arizona received $500,000 in federal funding to support COVID-19 Response, providing immediate access to resources for a limited number of states and local jurisdictions impacted by the outbreak.
- On March 11, 2020, Governor Ducey issued a Declaration of Emergency and an Executive Order to provide health officials and administrators with tools and guidance necessary to combat the continued spread of COVID-19 and to reduce financial burdens on Arizonans by lowering healthcare costs associated with the virus (more information provided below).
- On March 11, 2020, Arizona received over $12.4 million from the CDC to support the public health response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Key funding priorities will include surveillance and investigation activities, laboratory testing, infection control supply procurement and distribution, and risk communication.
- On March 12, 2020, Governor Ducey signed legislation to appropriate $55 million to Arizona’s Public Health Emergency Fund to support the state’s continued efforts to combat the spread of COVID-19.
- The Governor’s Office is coordinating closely with public health officials and experts on the ground, including hospitals, nursing home facilities and local health officials. Yesterday, Governor Ducey held a conference call with over 400 district, charter and private school administrators to answer questions and offer additional guidance.
- The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) is conducting regular briefings, webinars, and providing guidance to community stakeholders including, school administrators, healthcare providers, government officials and business leaders.
What does the Governor's Executive Order do?
The Governor's Executive Order is aimed at protecting Arizonans and populations at high-risk of serious complications from this virus. The order:
- Requires insurance companies and health plans to cover out of network providers, including out of plan laboratories and telemedicine providers.
- Waives all copays, coinsurance, and deductibles for consumers related to COVID-19 diagnostic testing and decreases copays for telemedicine visits.
- Implements consumer protections, including prohibiting price-gouging on COVID-19 of diagnosis and treatment-related services.
- Requires symptom checks of healthcare workers and visitors at skilled nursing facilities, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
What does the Governor's Emergency Declaration do?
The Emergency Declaration provides the following tools to address the spread of COVID-19, by:
- Establishing ADHS as the entity responsible for coordinating all matters pertaining to the public health emergency response of the State.
- Allowing ADHS to waive licensing requirements to provide healthcare officials with assistance in delivering services during times of heightened demand.
- Allowing the state to access $500,000 in emergency funds to aid in measures and resources to protect public health.
- Providing the state with emergency procurement authority to procure goods and services as needed to protect public health.
What you need to know about coronavirus disease 2109 (COVID-19)
The Arizona Department of Health Services has been closely monitoring COVID-19 on an international, national and local level. Mitigating the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, a respiratory disease that can cause symptoms ranging from mild cold-like illness to severe pneumonia, is a high priority.
In order to best protect Arizonans, we all must work together to be responsive to this evolving situation. ADHS and our local and federal public health partners are focused on containing the spread of the virus and reducing its impact. Our approaches include working closely with our local hospitals, developing guidance and recommendations to prevent and reduce the spread of the disease, evaluating social distancing approaches and readying our preparedness plans.
The flu season is still in effect and Arizona is currently experiencing widespread levels of influenza and other respiratory diseases. The best ways to prevent the spread of these viruses are to:
For more information about the outbreak, visit the ADHS coronavirus website at www.azdhs.gov/coronavirus or the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/COVID19 .
The Arizona Department of Health Services has been closely monitoring COVID-19 on an international, national and local level. Mitigating the spread of the virus that causes COVID-19, a respiratory disease that can cause symptoms ranging from mild cold-like illness to severe pneumonia, is a high priority.
In order to best protect Arizonans, we all must work together to be responsive to this evolving situation. ADHS and our local and federal public health partners are focused on containing the spread of the virus and reducing its impact. Our approaches include working closely with our local hospitals, developing guidance and recommendations to prevent and reduce the spread of the disease, evaluating social distancing approaches and readying our preparedness plans.
The flu season is still in effect and Arizona is currently experiencing widespread levels of influenza and other respiratory diseases. The best ways to prevent the spread of these viruses are to:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
For more information about the outbreak, visit the ADHS coronavirus website at www.azdhs.gov/coronavirus or the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/COVID19 .
The La Paz County Health Department Wants to Keep You Updated on COVID-19
As of March 11th, there are no identified COVID-19 cases in La Paz County and there are currently zero cases that are being investigating as possible exposures. As quickly as this virus has spread, throughout the world, it is anticipated that at some point we will see cases in our County. While the majority of positive cases do recover, the elderly and those with underlying conditions have a greater risk.
“We are working closely with a number of local and state agencies to combat COVID-19” said La Paz County Health Director, Marion Shontz. “These agencies include both La Paz Regional Hospital and Parker Indian Health Services, local physicians, law and fire agencies as well as adopting accepted practices through the Center for Disease Control.”
There is information on the La Paz County Website, the La Paz County Health Department Website, as well as the La Paz County Health Department Facebook page. For daily updated facts and statistics about the outbreak, visit the Arizona Department of Health Services coronavirus website at www.azdhs.gov/coronavirus or the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/COVID19 .
What should you do if you get sick?
Stay home and call your healthcare provider before seeking healthcare and let them know about your symptoms. If your provider says you are not sick enough to be hospitalized, you can recover at home.
Follow CDC instructions for how to take care of yourself at home:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html
Get medical attention immediately if you have any of the emergency warning signs listed below:
The Health Department is asking you continue the following healthy practices, to help from possibly contracting the flu or COVID-19:
As of March 11th, there are no identified COVID-19 cases in La Paz County and there are currently zero cases that are being investigating as possible exposures. As quickly as this virus has spread, throughout the world, it is anticipated that at some point we will see cases in our County. While the majority of positive cases do recover, the elderly and those with underlying conditions have a greater risk.
“We are working closely with a number of local and state agencies to combat COVID-19” said La Paz County Health Director, Marion Shontz. “These agencies include both La Paz Regional Hospital and Parker Indian Health Services, local physicians, law and fire agencies as well as adopting accepted practices through the Center for Disease Control.”
There is information on the La Paz County Website, the La Paz County Health Department Website, as well as the La Paz County Health Department Facebook page. For daily updated facts and statistics about the outbreak, visit the Arizona Department of Health Services coronavirus website at www.azdhs.gov/coronavirus or the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/COVID19 .
What should you do if you get sick?
Stay home and call your healthcare provider before seeking healthcare and let them know about your symptoms. If your provider says you are not sick enough to be hospitalized, you can recover at home.
Follow CDC instructions for how to take care of yourself at home:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html
Get medical attention immediately if you have any of the emergency warning signs listed below:
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath,
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest,
- New confusion or inability to arouse,
- Bluish lips or face.
The Health Department is asking you continue the following healthy practices, to help from possibly contracting the flu or COVID-19:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then immediately throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
The safest place for a baby to sleep is in the same room with a parent or caregiver, on a separate sleep surface, such as a safety-approved crib, bassinet, or playpen.
It is recommended that babies are always placed on their backs to sleep, even for naps. Babies are placed on their tummies only when awake and supervised by a responsible caregiver.
To prevent overheating, babies should sleep in lightweight clothing, and the room should be kept at a temperature comfortable for an adult.
To prevent overheating, babies should sleep in lightweight clothing, and the room should be kept at a temperature comfortable for an adult.
National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (NHAAAD) is observed each year on September 18th. In 2008, the AIDS Institute launched this day to bring awareness to the challenging issues the aging population faces with regards to HIV prevention, testing, care and treatment. Browse our resources to find more information about HIV and aging.
RESOURCES
HIV Among People Aged 50 and Over
NHAAD.org
The AIDS Institute
HIV.gov
The Zika Virus and Mosquitos:
La Paz County- Zika is a virus spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. This mosquito, the Aedes, is the same mosquito that can spread dengue and chikungunya.
La Paz County and "ADHS continue to monitor the Zika virus situation and we are in regular communication with CDC in order to keep our local public health partners, healthcare providers, and community informed and up to date on the situation. The main way Zika virus spreads is through the bite of an infected mosquito. In rare cases, Zika virus can spread through blood transfusion, through sexual contact, or from a mother to a child during pregnancy or birth. No cases of Zika virus have been reported in Arizona. The best way to protect yourself from Zika virus, and other mosquito-borne diseases, is by protecting yourself from mosquitos."
-Dr. Cara Christ
Director
Arizona Department of Health Services
SYMPTOMS: Zika can cause fever, rash, joint pain, and red/swollen eyes. It is a relatively mild illness that usually doesn’t require hospitalization and lasts only a few days to a week.
BIRTH DEFECTS: There are significant risks associated with a Zika virus infection during pregnancy. An increased number of microcephaly, or smaller than expected head size, and fetal losses have been identified in babies born to mother who were infected with Zika while pregnant. Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that might not have developed properly.
TRAVEL AREAS: An outbreak of the Zika virus was first identified in Brazil in May 2015. Since then, Zika has been circulating in several countries and territories throughout the Americas, including Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and Mexico. While Zika has been identified in people from the U.S. who traveled to areas where the virus was circulating, there has been NO documented transmission of the Zika virus within the continental United States. There have also been NO identified Zika cases in the state of Arizona or La Paz County.
PREVENTION: The best way to prevent Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases, both in Arizona and when traveling outside the U.S., is to avoid mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves and pants, using screens in windows, and applying an effective insect repellant (such as DEET). It is also recommended that pregnant women consider postponing travel to areas where Zika is present. Pregnant women with a history of travel to an area with Zika transmission and who have symptoms compatible with Zika or ultrasound findings of fetal microcephaly should consult their primary care physician and be tested for the Zika virus.
The CDC has the most current information on Zika!
La Paz County- Zika is a virus spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. This mosquito, the Aedes, is the same mosquito that can spread dengue and chikungunya.
La Paz County and "ADHS continue to monitor the Zika virus situation and we are in regular communication with CDC in order to keep our local public health partners, healthcare providers, and community informed and up to date on the situation. The main way Zika virus spreads is through the bite of an infected mosquito. In rare cases, Zika virus can spread through blood transfusion, through sexual contact, or from a mother to a child during pregnancy or birth. No cases of Zika virus have been reported in Arizona. The best way to protect yourself from Zika virus, and other mosquito-borne diseases, is by protecting yourself from mosquitos."
-Dr. Cara Christ
Director
Arizona Department of Health Services
SYMPTOMS: Zika can cause fever, rash, joint pain, and red/swollen eyes. It is a relatively mild illness that usually doesn’t require hospitalization and lasts only a few days to a week.
BIRTH DEFECTS: There are significant risks associated with a Zika virus infection during pregnancy. An increased number of microcephaly, or smaller than expected head size, and fetal losses have been identified in babies born to mother who were infected with Zika while pregnant. Babies with microcephaly often have smaller brains that might not have developed properly.
TRAVEL AREAS: An outbreak of the Zika virus was first identified in Brazil in May 2015. Since then, Zika has been circulating in several countries and territories throughout the Americas, including Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and Mexico. While Zika has been identified in people from the U.S. who traveled to areas where the virus was circulating, there has been NO documented transmission of the Zika virus within the continental United States. There have also been NO identified Zika cases in the state of Arizona or La Paz County.
PREVENTION: The best way to prevent Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases, both in Arizona and when traveling outside the U.S., is to avoid mosquito bites by wearing long sleeves and pants, using screens in windows, and applying an effective insect repellant (such as DEET). It is also recommended that pregnant women consider postponing travel to areas where Zika is present. Pregnant women with a history of travel to an area with Zika transmission and who have symptoms compatible with Zika or ultrasound findings of fetal microcephaly should consult their primary care physician and be tested for the Zika virus.
The CDC has the most current information on Zika!
1112 Joshua Ave, Suite #206
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