COVID-19

THIS IS STILL IN EFFECT as of 3/1/2021: Maricopa County released a proclamation on June 19, 2020, that the policy of Maricopa County that ALL persons in Maricopa County shall wear face coverings in compliance with regulations defined therein. This order begins at midnight on June 20, 2020. To read the regulations, click here.

About the Virus

What is the coronavirus disease or COVID-19?

  • Coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 is a new respiratory virus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China.
  • Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses. There are several known coronaviruses that infect people and usually only cause mild respiratory disease. Based on current data collected, COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) is a more contagious coronavirus that may have severe symptoms for persons with underlying health issues and/or compromised immune systems.
  • Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear 2-14 days after exposure and include fever, cough, shortness of breath. Emergency warning signs may include difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure on the chest, new confusion or difficulty to arouse, bluish lips. If you experience emergency warning signs, get immediate medical attention! These emergency warning signs are not all-inclusive. Please call your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning. 
  • You can learn more about COVID-19 at the CDC website.
  • Monitoring and testing are ongoing across the United States. 
  • A nationwide case count table is available on the CDC website
  • A statewide case count table, including confirmed cases in Maricopa County, is available on the Arizona Department of Health Services website.
  • This is a rapidly evolving situation.
    • Please visit Maricopa.gov/coronavirus for the most up-to-date and accurate information about what is going on in Maricopa County.
    • Please visit the CDC website for the most up-to-date information nationally.

Who is at higher risk for severe illness?

Some people may be at higher risk of getting very sick from this illness. This includes:

  • Older adults
  • People who have serious underlying medical conditions like:
    • Heart disease
    • Diabetes
    • Lung disease
    • Asthma
    • Obesity
  • For more information about specific groups and higher risk complications visit the CDC website.

What is the treatment for COVID-19?

  • There is no specific antiviral treatment recommended for COVID-19. People with COVID-19 will receive supportive care to help relieve symptoms.

If you are experiencing such symptoms as shortness of breath and you need to see a healthcare provider, you should do so. If you do not have a medical home or are uninsured, consider visiting a community health center. They will work with you to help you get access to a healthcare provider. Please make sure you call ahead and let them know your symptoms, so you are not putting anyone at risk. You should also cover your mouth and nose when out in public. Please call 602-253-0090 or look at the AACHC website for a health care center near you.

Arizona food banks and pantries are in desperate need of volunteers and donations. For more information go to: https://unitedfoodbank.org/ and https://www.firstfoodbank.org/  

Additional information:

COVID-19 Guidance for Businesses

COVID-19 Guidance for Schools

Medical Absence Statement for employees, students and daycare attendees (PDF) [Template communication for use by child care providers, employers, and schools]

  1. COVID 19 TESTING and VACCINE
  2. PROTECT YOURSELF and OTHERS
  3. WEARING MASKS
  4. EVENT MITIGATION PLANS
  5. EXECUTIVE ORDERS
  6. BUSINESS RESOURCES
  7. COMMUNITY RESOURCES

COVID TESTING

Community Testing Events in Maricopa County

During this time if you have had direct contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19, or think you have been exposed, or are experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, and achiness, you should get tested. You also need to stay home, drink fluids, rest, and avoid others when experiencing symptoms. The vast majority of people do very well recovering at home. Getting a COVID-19 test does not change the treatment or the outcome. 

People at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider early, even if their illness is mild.

If your symptoms worsen, especially if you experience shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Find out what you should be doing while you wait for your test results.

COVID-19 Vaccine for Maricopa County

NEW INFORMATION FOR ADULTS 55+:

As of 3/2/2021, 

  • To provide Arizonans with clarity, a range for transitioning the age-based eligibility has been established. Local health departments may transition to the next age category when they reach 55 percent of that age category vaccinated OR feel that there is no longer demand for vaccine. ADHS will be adding data to the AZDHS website showing the percent of the population vaccinated in each age category to provide information for when counties may be progressing to the next age category. This strategy allows everyone in the state to know approximately when they will be eligible to receive vaccine. Those with chronic conditions will be included in their respective age categories.
  • 90% of Arizona’s deaths from COVID-19 have been among those 55 and older. Approximately 65% of those hospitalized due to COVID-19 are in that age group. Including adults 55 and older in the vaccine prioritization category will cover between 56 and 66 percent of Arizonans with medical conditions that place them at severe risk for adverse outcomes due to COVID-19. This figure grows to between 68 and 79 percent of Arizonans with high-risk medical conditions being eligible for vaccination when age of vaccine eligibility includes those 45 and older.  
  • The Arizona Department of Health Services has announced that anyone 55 years and older will be eligible to get COVID-19 vaccine at state-run vaccination sites.  As of Wednesday, 3/3, there will be three state-run sites in Maricopa County: State Farm Stadium, Phoenix Municipal Stadium, and Chandler-Gilbert Community College.  Approximately 50,000 appointments at State Farm Stadium and Phoenix Municipal Stadium will be made available to adults 55 and older starting March 2, at noon. Find an appointment.
  • For questions about the vaccine, scheduling, eligibility, and more, please see the COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs.

PHASE 1B:

As of 1/11/2021, 

  • Registration is now open for Phase 1A and Phase 1B prioritized. See pharmacy appts. for vaccinating those 75 and older only. More appts. and sites will be included as additional vaccine is available/allocated. Find an appointment.
  • For questions about the vaccine, scheduling, eligibility, and more, please see the COVID-19 Vaccine FAQs.

PHASE 1B includes:

  • Age 75+ [Prioritized]
  • School and Childcare Workers [Prioritized]
  • Law Enforcement and Protective Services [Prioritized]
  • Essential Workers (food, agricultural, transit, and postal workers for example) [later in 1B]

PHASE 1A:

  • POD HOURS OF OPERATION: Point of Dispensing (POD) sites are open for Phase 1A vaccination by appt only and closed to the public. View POD locations and this week's schedule here . Please be sure to check your appointment time and do not drive to a site as a walk-in. Pre-screening and appointments are required.
  • PREPARE FOR YOUR APPOINTMENT: Please bring two things to your vaccine appointment: 1) your appointment confirmation email, and 2) a form of ID confirming your healthcare employment, such as a work ID or paystub.  
  • GET PRE-SCREENED NOW: Healthcare workers (direct and indirect patient care) & EMS should pre-screen now to secure their prioritized appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine.  Some regional POD sites will pause operations after Dec. 31st before reopening for second doses of vaccine distribution. However, other sites will continue to schedule appointments for Phase 1A individuals who still need their first dose. 
  • AFTER PRE-SCREENING: If you have completed your pre-screening, thank you! Please know that you are on the list to receive a vaccine appointment and there is no need to fill out this form again. We are currently in the process of sending daily notifications to schedule appointments. Timing of scheduling notifications will depend on a number of factors. Please see our FAQs below for a more detailed explanation. 
  • APPOINTMENT SITES: If you are scheduling an appointment using the ADHS registration system and see appointment slots outside of Maricopa County (such as Globe or Snowflake), please do not drive there. Please call the ADHS hotline at 602-542-1000 for assistance.
  • TECHNICAL TIPS: The ADHS POD vaccine appointment system [for Southeast (Chandler/Gilbert) and Southwest (Goodyear) PODs] should be working properly now. If you continue to have issues, please see our FAQs below for troubleshooting tips and technical support resources.
  • STILL NEED HELP?: If you have tried to troubleshoot your issue and still need help with prescreening or scheduling an appointment for Phase 1A, we want to assist. To help us triage your inquiry and expedite a response, please fill out this form.  We are monitoring submissions as they come in and we will get back to you.