Arizona COVID-19 cases: 7 days
Cases 429,248 | Deaths 7,358
On Monday, Dec. 14, Arizona reported 11,795 new cases of COVID-19 and 1 additional death. Maricopa County and Pima County are set to receive their first shipments of the vaccine this week. The Navajo Nation will also start distributing the vaccine within its borders.
Healthcare workers at top of county’s vaccine list
AZPM
Coronavirus vaccine has begun arriving in Arizona. Front-line health care workers in Pima County will start getting COVID-19 vaccinations as early as Thursday, but those not in one of the high priority groups might have to wait until early summer to get the shot. Health authorities Monday detailed their plans for distributing the county's first allocation of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.
County health director, Doctor Theresa Cullen, said local leaders have no control over the timing of vaccine shipments:
"This timeline could accelerate, but the dependency on accelerating this timeline is not the county; it is the federal and state regulators about the vaccine itself,” Cullen said.
In Tucson, two drive-thru points of distribution, or 'pods' are being set up at Banner-UMC and Tucson Medical Center, and health care workers will begin to receive vaccinations on Thursday. Eligible workers need to make an appointment through their employer.
Cullen said vaccinations will begin slowly, and gradually ramp up as the process is fine-tuned.
Maricopa County receives its 1st shipment of virus vaccine
AP
PHOENIX — The first shipment of the coronavirus vaccine has arrived in Maricopa County. Arizona’s first doses of coronavirus vaccine are going to the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas before smaller counties and tribes begin receiving shipments.
Maricopa County health officials posted a photo Monday on social media showing the delivery of the county’s first shipment. This week, Maricopa County is expected to get 47,000 doses, and Pima County will get 11,000.
Arizona will receive its largest vaccine shipment of the year next week and will spread them across the state.
Arizona Electoral College votes confirm Biden win
AP
PHOENIX — Arizona’s 11 Electoral College members have cast their votes for Democrat Joe Biden and running mate Kamala Harris.
Monday's vote follows state law requiring delegates from the party whose candidates received the most votes to back the winning presidential candidate. Biden won the Nov. 3 election in Arizona by nearly 10,500 votes and was the first Democrat since President Bill Clinton in 1996 to carry the traditionally Republican state.
The vote came as some Arizona Republicans continue to question Biden’s victory over President Donald Trump.
The meeting of the Electoral College was held away from the Capitol because of concerns about protesters.
Navajo Nation Lockdowns Continue; Vaccine Distribution Begins Tuesday
Fronteras Desk
After another weekend lockdown, the Navajo Nation has reported an additional 183 cases and two deaths on Sunday.
The Navajo Nation continues its COVID-19-related lockdown through the end of December, including 57-hour weekend lockdowns. And that public health order may be extended.
The Navajo Area Indian Health Service is overseeing most of the Navajo Nation’s distribution of the Pfizer vaccine, which will begin with health care workers on Tuesday.
The Nation has had 720 deaths and over 19,600 cases since the pandemic began.
Tribal President Jonathan Nez has also scheduled a virtual town hall meeting Tuesday at 10 a.m. on his Facebook page to provide updates.
Navajo Nation reports 183 additional coronavirus cases
AP
WINDOW ROCK — The Navajo Nation has reported 183 additional COVID-19 cases with two deaths from the virus as of Sunday night.
The tribe is expecting 3,900 coronavirus vaccine doses to be delivered Monday and Tuesday. About 7,900 doses should arrive next week. Those vaccines will cover healthcare workers, emergency medical staff, traditional practitioners working in Indian Health Service facilities, and the staff and patients in long-term nursing facilities.
The tribe has extended its stay-at-home order though Dec. 28 in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus. In all, the tribe has reported more than 19,000 virus cases resulting in 720 deaths since the pandemic began.
Travel Restrictions At The U.S.-Mexico Border Extended Through The Holidays
Fronteras Desk
Just weeks ago, officials in the United States and Mexico extended travel restrictions at the border until Dec. 21. Now, they’ve been extended again — this time until late January.
Restrictions at the U.S.-Mexico border first implemented in March to help slow the spread of the coronavirus are now set to remain in place until at least January 21.
They’re meant to prevent travel the U.S. State Department has defined as nonessential. Travel for medical purposes, work or school is considered essential.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are not prevented from returning home under the restrictions. And because there is minimal southbound enforcement, many people in the U.S. have continued crossing the border with little difficulty, while most of their neighbors in Mexico have been unable to cross for nearly 10 months.
Group of fake electors attempt to grant Trump victory in AZ
Arizona Republic
A group of Arizonans tried to grant the state’s 11 electoral college votes to Donald Trump last week by sending notarized documents to the National Archives in Washington, D.C., the Arizona Republic reports.
Arizona’s actual electors voted Monday to cast their votes in favor of president elect Joseph Biden, who received nearly 10,500 more votes in Arizona.
Arizona fires Sumlin following blowout loss to Arizona State
AP
Arizona has fired football coach Kevin Sumlin following a blowout loss to rival Arizona State that extended a record losing streak. Sumlin was fired less than 24 hours after a 70-7 loss to Arizona State that stretched the Wildcats’ losing streak to 12 straight games spanning two seasons.
Sumlin entered this year on the hot seat after the Wildcats closed the 2019 season with seven straight losses. The Wildcats blew an early 13-point lead to Colorado last week and were run over by the Sun Devils after allowing 2 touchdowns in the first 56 seconds.
Loss of 'snowbirds' amid pandemic another hit to US tourism
AP
PHOENIX — Many so-called snowbirds who live part time in warmer climates to escape cold weather won’t be flocking south this winter.
For Canadians who drive to places like Arizona and Florida, they're facing travel restrictions at the border. For some, it’s fear of COVID-19 infections and deaths that are surging in the United States.
Their absence is being felt by vacation rentals, restaurants and shops. Yet RV parks and campgrounds are seeing an increase in campers as other people travel closer to home, which could soften the economic blow this winter.
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