Cara Christ
Cara Christ is leaving ADHS for a top job at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona
Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ is leaving her post next month, as the state contends with a growing number of COVID-19 cases, to take a job in the private sector. Gov. Doug Ducey announced that Christ would be leaving the position on August 27 to become chief medical officer at Blue […]
State will follow new CDC mask guidelines, while Ducey lashes out at feds
State health officials will update its guidance to follow new recommendations from the CDC urging people to wear masks in schools and for everyone, including those who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, to wear masks in enclosed public spaces — though they remain strictly voluntary due to new state laws prohibiting mandates. The U.S. Centers […]
Unvaccinated Arizonans made up 95% of COVID-19 cases in May
More than 95% of COVID-19 cases in May were Arizonans who were not fully vaccinated against the virus, the Arizona Department of Health Services said Friday.
Vaccination rates drop, but officials still hopeful state can hit goal
COVID-19 vaccination rates have fallen sharply in Arizona, but health officials are still hopeful the state can reach a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention goal of vaccinating 70% of Arizonans by July 4.
A year after the first Arizona COVID surge, by the numbers
A year after Arizona’s first surge of COVID-19 cases, the state is seeing some of the lowest numbers of cases it has since the start of the pandemic, though hospital intensive care units still remain filled at similar levels to a year ago.
Ducey didn’t consult hospital leaders before scrapping mask mandates, business rules
Leaders of hospitals across Arizona are voicing disapproval with Gov. Doug Ducey’s decision to roll back local mask mandates and business restrictions meant to stop the spread of COVID-19, and the state’s public health chief said Friday the governor did not consult hospitals before ending restrictions.
ADHS expanding vaccine pilot program aimed at low vaccination ZIP codes
The Arizona Department of Health Services is planning to expand a pilot program to get more vaccines for those living in ZIP codes with high numbers of COVID-19 canses but low vaccination rates, but inequities still exist.
State health chief: ‘May is a very doable timeline’ for everyone to be vaccinated
Arizona health officials say they are confident they can meet President Joe Biden’s directive that all adults be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine by May 1.
House committee OKs bill letting businesses ignore mask mandates
Businesses would be exempt from the face mask mandates that public health experts have repeatedly touted over the past year in the fight against COVID-19 under a bill approved by a legislative committee.
Inmate COVID vaccinations expected to begin by early March
Inmates in Arizona’s prison system are slated to receive COVID-19 vaccinations in the last part of phase one of the state’s vaccination plan.
Ducey lauds start of vaccinations, warns of long road ahead with no new restrictions
After touring a site where a group of health care workers will become some of the first people in Arizona to receive COVID-19 vaccinations, Gov. Doug Ducey celebrated the “miracle of modern medicine” that is expected to tame the pandemic, while cautioning the public that the crisis is far from over.
Record number of new COVID-19 cases in Arizona reported Tuesday
Arizona health officials reported a record 12,314 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday, and the past month has seen more new cases than July, when cases peaked in Arizona and across the country, data shows.