Sunday, March 22, 2020
This story was originally published by ProPublica, a nonprofit newsroom that investigates abuses of power.
As of Friday, Louisiana was reporting 479 confirmed cases of COVID-19, one of the highest numbers in the country. Ten people had died. The majority of cases are in New Orleans, which now has one confirmed case for every 1,000 residents. New Orleans had held Mardi Gras celebrations just two weeks before its first patient, with more than a million revelers on its streets.
I spoke to a respiratory therapist there, whose job is to ensure that patients are breathing well. He works in a medium-sized city hospital’s intensive care unit. (We are withholding his name and employer, as he fears retaliation.) Before the virus came to New Orleans, his days were pretty relaxed, nebulizing patients with asthma, adjusting oxygen tubes that run through the nose or, in the most severe cases, setting up and managing ventilators. His patients were usually older, with chronic health conditions and bad lungs.
Since last week, he’s been running ventilators for the sickest COVID-19 patients. Many are relatively young, in their 40s and 50s, and have minimal, if any, preexisting conditions in their charts. He is overwhelmed, stunned by the manifestation of the infection, both its speed and intensity. The ICU where he works has essentially become a coronavirus unit. He estimates that his hospital has admitted dozens of confirmed or presumptive coronavirus patients. About a third have ended up on ventilators.
His hospital had not prepared for this volume before the virus first appeared. One physician had tried to raise alarms, asking about negative pressure rooms and ventilators. Most staff concluded that he was overreacting. “They thought the media was overhyping it,” the respiratory therapist told me. “In retrospect, he was right to be concerned.”
He spoke to me by phone on Thursday about why, exactly, he has been so alarmed. His account has been condensed and edited for clarity.
“Reading about it in the news, I knew it was going to be bad, but we deal with the flu every year so I was thinking: Well, it’s probably not that much worse than the flu. But seeing patients with COVID-19 completely changed my perspective, and it’s a lot more frightening.”
This is knocking out what should be perfectly fit, healthy people.
“I have patients in their early 40s and, yeah, I was kind of shocked. I’m seeing people who look relatively healthy with a minimal health history, and they are completely wiped out, like they’ve been hit by a truck. This is knocking out what should be perfectly fit, healthy people. Patients will be on minimal support, on a little bit of oxygen, and then all of a sudden, they go into complete respiratory arrest, shut down and can’t breathe at all.”
As of Friday, Louisiana was reporting 479 confirmed cases of COVID-19, one of the highest numbers in the country. Ten people had died. The majority of cases are in New Orleans, which now has one confirmed case for every 1,000 residents. New Orleans had held Mardi Gras celebrations just two weeks before its first patient, with more than a million revelers on its streets.
I spoke to a respiratory therapist there, whose job is to ensure that patients are breathing well. He works in a medium-sized city hospital’s intensive care unit. (We are withholding his name and employer, as he fears retaliation.) Before the virus came to New Orleans, his days were pretty relaxed, nebulizing patients with asthma, adjusting oxygen tubes that run through the nose or, in the most severe cases, setting up and managing ventilators. His patients were usually older, with chronic health conditions and bad lungs.
Since last week, he’s been running ventilators for the sickest COVID-19 patients. Many are relatively young, in their 40s and 50s, and have minimal, if any, preexisting conditions in their charts. He is overwhelmed, stunned by the manifestation of the infection, both its speed and intensity. The ICU where he works has essentially become a coronavirus unit. He estimates that his hospital has admitted dozens of confirmed or presumptive coronavirus patients. About a third have ended up on ventilators.
His hospital had not prepared for this volume before the virus first appeared. One physician had tried to raise alarms, asking about negative pressure rooms and ventilators. Most staff concluded that he was overreacting. “They thought the media was overhyping it,” the respiratory therapist told me. “In retrospect, he was right to be concerned.”
He spoke to me by phone on Thursday about why, exactly, he has been so alarmed. His account has been condensed and edited for clarity.
“Reading about it in the news, I knew it was going to be bad, but we deal with the flu every year so I was thinking: Well, it’s probably not that much worse than the flu. But seeing patients with COVID-19 completely changed my perspective, and it’s a lot more frightening.”
This is knocking out what should be perfectly fit, healthy people.
“I have patients in their early 40s and, yeah, I was kind of shocked. I’m seeing people who look relatively healthy with a minimal health history, and they are completely wiped out, like they’ve been hit by a truck. This is knocking out what should be perfectly fit, healthy people. Patients will be on minimal support, on a little bit of oxygen, and then all of a sudden, they go into complete respiratory arrest, shut down and can’t breathe at all.”
Arizona health authorities are reporting a second death from COVID-19, the novel coronavirus that is spreading across the United States and other countries.
The victim was a man in his 70s with underlying health conditions, according to a press release. The first victim was a man in his 50s with underlying health conditions.
The state reports 152 confirmed cases of COVID-19, though the scarcity of tests means that many people with symptoms have not been able to be tested; the state lab has done only 408 tests, although private labs are also testing. Of the 408 cases tested by the state, 282 have been ruled out and 39 have been confirmed, with 87 tests pending. Full state numbers here.
Pima County has 17 confirmed cases, a jump of five from yesterday's tally of 12. Maricopa County has 81 confirmed cases, Pinal County has 16 confirmed cases, Coconino County has 14 confirmed cases and Navajo County has 13 confirmed cases. The remainder of the counties except Mohave, La Paz, Gila and Greenlee have confirmed cases in the single digits.
Restaurants have been limited to take-out and delivery services in counties where the virus has appeared. Here's a partial list of Tucson-area restaurants offering take-out and delivery services.
Gov. Doug Ducey has ordered schools closed through April 20. He has also ordered bars, gyms and theaters to be closed in any county with confirmed COVID-19 cases, halted all elective surgery to keep hospital beds available for COVID-19 patients and called up the National Guard to assist in grocery stores as Arizonans clear the shelves.
As hospitals brace for an upcoming flood of COVID-19 patients, Ducey announced yesterday that the state had tapped 25 percent of its reserve supply from the Strategic National Stockpile, a national stockpile of medical equipment managed by the Department of Health and Human Services. Ducey said he had asked for additional equipment from the Strategic National Stockpile.
“Arizona is working to keep our health professionals safe,” said Ducey in a prepared statement. “This shipment from the Strategic National Stockpile includes thousands of masks, face shields, surgical gowns, gloves and more—and we are working to get these supplies where they are needed as soon as possible. My sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, first responders and everyone working to protect public health and safety during this outbreak.”
The state has received 60,900 N95 masks, 244,000 surgical face masks, 26,208 face shields, 22,200 surgical gowns, 102 coveralls and nearly 90,000 sets of gloves.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms typically occur two to 14 days after exposure, and include fever, cough and shortness of breath. However, some cases of the virus are entirely asymptomatic. Practices to avoid infection include social distancing (of at least six feet), washing your hands, avoiding unnecessary trips and not touching your face. COVID-19 can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on stainless steel and plastic surfaces up to three days.
If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
The victim was a man in his 70s with underlying health conditions, according to a press release. The first victim was a man in his 50s with underlying health conditions.
The state reports 152 confirmed cases of COVID-19, though the scarcity of tests means that many people with symptoms have not been able to be tested; the state lab has done only 408 tests, although private labs are also testing. Of the 408 cases tested by the state, 282 have been ruled out and 39 have been confirmed, with 87 tests pending. Full state numbers here.
Pima County has 17 confirmed cases, a jump of five from yesterday's tally of 12. Maricopa County has 81 confirmed cases, Pinal County has 16 confirmed cases, Coconino County has 14 confirmed cases and Navajo County has 13 confirmed cases. The remainder of the counties except Mohave, La Paz, Gila and Greenlee have confirmed cases in the single digits.
Restaurants have been limited to take-out and delivery services in counties where the virus has appeared. Here's a partial list of Tucson-area restaurants offering take-out and delivery services.
Gov. Doug Ducey has ordered schools closed through April 20. He has also ordered bars, gyms and theaters to be closed in any county with confirmed COVID-19 cases, halted all elective surgery to keep hospital beds available for COVID-19 patients and called up the National Guard to assist in grocery stores as Arizonans clear the shelves.
As hospitals brace for an upcoming flood of COVID-19 patients, Ducey announced yesterday that the state had tapped 25 percent of its reserve supply from the Strategic National Stockpile, a national stockpile of medical equipment managed by the Department of Health and Human Services. Ducey said he had asked for additional equipment from the Strategic National Stockpile.
“Arizona is working to keep our health professionals safe,” said Ducey in a prepared statement. “This shipment from the Strategic National Stockpile includes thousands of masks, face shields, surgical gowns, gloves and more—and we are working to get these supplies where they are needed as soon as possible. My sincere thanks to the doctors, nurses, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, first responders and everyone working to protect public health and safety during this outbreak.”
The state has received 60,900 N95 masks, 244,000 surgical face masks, 26,208 face shields, 22,200 surgical gowns, 102 coveralls and nearly 90,000 sets of gloves.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms typically occur two to 14 days after exposure, and include fever, cough and shortness of breath. However, some cases of the virus are entirely asymptomatic. Practices to avoid infection include social distancing (of at least six feet), washing your hands, avoiding unnecessary trips and not touching your face. COVID-19 can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on stainless steel and plastic surfaces up to three days.
If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
Tags: cononavirus , cover-19 , arizona news , tucson news , deaths in arizona , cases in arizona , Image
Saturday, March 21, 2020
Pima County now has 12 confirmed cases of Coronavirus, or COVID-19, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services website. The total number of cases in the county has increased by four from Friday, March 20.
Testing confirmed 15 new cases in Maricopa County, putting their totals at 49 confirmed. Statewide, testing has confirmed 104 cases.
One person in Arizona has died after contracting COVID-19.
These are confirmed cases but health officials say there are far more undetected cases in the community because many people can pass the virus while asymptotic, so they are urging people to stay home and limit their trips to necessary errands.
Restaurants have been limited to take-out and delivery services. Here's a partial list of Tucson-area restaurants offering take-out and delivery services.
Gov. Doug Ducey has ordered schools closed through April 20. He has also ordered bars, gyms and theaters to be closed in any county with confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Updated state numbers here.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms typically occur two to 14 days after exposure, and include fever, cough and shortness of breath. However, some cases of the virus are entirely asymptomatic. Practices to avoid infection include social distancing (of at least six feet), washing your hands, avoiding unnecessary trips and not touching your face. COVID-19 can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on stainless steel and plastic surfaces up to three days.
If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
Testing confirmed 15 new cases in Maricopa County, putting their totals at 49 confirmed. Statewide, testing has confirmed 104 cases.
One person in Arizona has died after contracting COVID-19.
These are confirmed cases but health officials say there are far more undetected cases in the community because many people can pass the virus while asymptotic, so they are urging people to stay home and limit their trips to necessary errands.
Restaurants have been limited to take-out and delivery services. Here's a partial list of Tucson-area restaurants offering take-out and delivery services.
Gov. Doug Ducey has ordered schools closed through April 20. He has also ordered bars, gyms and theaters to be closed in any county with confirmed COVID-19 cases.
Updated state numbers here.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms typically occur two to 14 days after exposure, and include fever, cough and shortness of breath. However, some cases of the virus are entirely asymptomatic. Practices to avoid infection include social distancing (of at least six feet), washing your hands, avoiding unnecessary trips and not touching your face. COVID-19 can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on stainless steel and plastic surfaces up to three days.
If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
The first death due to COVID-19 in Arizona has been reported by an Arizona State Health Department press release. The deceased is a Maricopa County man in his 50s with underlying health conditions.
According to the AZDHS press release:
As of yesterday's Arizona Department of Health Services report, eight people in Pima County have tested tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 63 people have tested positive, 101 cases are still pending and 211 have been ruled out. Statewide numbers updated here.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms typically occur two to 14 days after exposure, and include fever, cough and shortness of breath. However, some cases of the virus are entirely asymptomatic. Practices to avoid infection include social distancing (of at least six feet), washing your hands, avoiding unnecessary trips and not touching your face. COVID-19 can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on stainless steel and plastic surfaces up to three days. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
For more information, visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov
According to the AZDHS press release:
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) and Maricopa County Department of Public Health (MCDPH) have confirmed the first death due to COVID-19 in Arizona. The individual was a male in his 50s with underlying health conditions. MCDPH is in the process of notifying close contacts of this person and will be asking them to monitor for symptoms.
“We express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends grieving their loved one during this difficult time,” said Dr. Cara Christ, ADHS Director. “COVID-19 is a serious disease that can be fatal in anyone, especially our elderly population and people with underlying health conditions. We expect to see more cases of COVID-19 in Arizona, and there could be more deaths. It is imperative that everyone takes precautions to protect you and your family from this disease.”
As of yesterday's Arizona Department of Health Services report, eight people in Pima County have tested tested positive for COVID-19. A total of 63 people have tested positive, 101 cases are still pending and 211 have been ruled out. Statewide numbers updated here.
According to the CDC, COVID-19 symptoms typically occur two to 14 days after exposure, and include fever, cough and shortness of breath. However, some cases of the virus are entirely asymptomatic. Practices to avoid infection include social distancing (of at least six feet), washing your hands, avoiding unnecessary trips and not touching your face. COVID-19 can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and on stainless steel and plastic surfaces up to three days. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
For more information, visit cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov
Friday, March 20, 2020
Gov. Doug Ducey: "Our goal is to get kids safely back in the classroom as soon as possible while providing parents and educators certainty so they can plan and make decisions."
The press release from Ducey's office:
Governor Doug Ducey and Superintendent Kathy Hoffman today announced a two-week extension of school closures through Friday, April 10, 2020. Going forward, Governor Ducey and Superintendent Hoffman will continue to provide updates and guidance about the need for continued school closures beyond that date.
View Governor Ducey and Superintendent Hoffman’s open letter to Arizona families, educators, school leaders, and education community members HERE.
“Our goal is to get kids safely back in the classroom as soon as possible while providing parents and educators certainty so they can plan and make decisions,” said Governor Ducey. “I’m grateful to Superintendent Hoffman for her continued partnership and leadership. We are unified in our efforts to address COVID-19, and will continue to keep parents and educators informed.”
“Our number one priority is the health and safety of all Arizonans, especially our kids,” said Superintendent Hoffman. “Our office continues to work closely with school administrators and partners to provide parents, families, and schools resources and flexibility to mitigate the impact of school closure. This will continue to be our top priority.”
Additional information about meals for kids, childcare, special education considerations, learning resources for families and educators and more can be found at azed.gov.
In their letter, Governor Ducey and Superintendent Hoffman requested that schools continue to adhere to the following measures:
School administrators should make every effort to provide continued education learning opportunities through online resources or materials that can be sent home.
School administrators should work with the Arizona Department of Education to provide breakfast and lunch services for Arizona students.
As demand rises on healthcare professionals and first responders, schools should consider expanding child care programs currently available to ensure minimal disruption to these critical jobs as a result of the school closure.
When school resumes, school administrators should develop and implement precautions to ensure schools are a safe learning environment, including social distancing measures, regular intervals for administrators to wash and sanitize their hands, and guidance on how to properly and frequently sanitize election equipment and common surfaces.
More information about COVID-19 can be found at azhealth.gov/COVID19.
If you’re already getting bored sitting around the house and you miss the temporarily closed Loft Cinema, then you’re in luck. Tucson’s arthouse cinema just announced the launch of a new streaming service.
Now you can watch independent, hard-to-find films from the comfort of your couch.
The new service is the result of a collaboration between The Loft and several independent film distributors, including Oscilloscope Films, Kino Lorber Films and Film Movement.
The virtual experience begins Friday, March 20, with the release of four new films: “Bacurau,” an action thriller from Brazil starring Udo Kier and Sonia Braga; the Polish drama, “Corpus Christi,” a 2020 Academy Award nominee for Best International Film; “Saint Frances,” an acclaimed American comedy/drama; and a new restoration of the popular 1976 Brazilian comedy, “Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands,” starring Sonia Braga.
Opening next Friday are “The Wild Goose Lake,” a twisty Chinese noir, and a new restoration of the 1976 Italian classic “L’innocente,” the final film from legendary filmmaker Luchino Visconte.
The Loft will virtually release four new films each week. To get a ticket, head over to loftcinema.org. A $12 e-ticket will grant access to watch the film online at your convenience during a window of time specified by each distributor.
Revenue from each e-ticket sold will be split between The Loft and its distributor partners. The Loft’s proceeds will go directly to employees and essential operational costs during the nonprofit theater’s closure.
The Loft is also working on launching viewing parties, staff favorites with filmed intros and live Q&As in the future.
Now you can watch independent, hard-to-find films from the comfort of your couch.
The new service is the result of a collaboration between The Loft and several independent film distributors, including Oscilloscope Films, Kino Lorber Films and Film Movement.
The virtual experience begins Friday, March 20, with the release of four new films: “Bacurau,” an action thriller from Brazil starring Udo Kier and Sonia Braga; the Polish drama, “Corpus Christi,” a 2020 Academy Award nominee for Best International Film; “Saint Frances,” an acclaimed American comedy/drama; and a new restoration of the popular 1976 Brazilian comedy, “Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands,” starring Sonia Braga.
Opening next Friday are “The Wild Goose Lake,” a twisty Chinese noir, and a new restoration of the 1976 Italian classic “L’innocente,” the final film from legendary filmmaker Luchino Visconte.
The Loft will virtually release four new films each week. To get a ticket, head over to loftcinema.org. A $12 e-ticket will grant access to watch the film online at your convenience during a window of time specified by each distributor.
Revenue from each e-ticket sold will be split between The Loft and its distributor partners. The Loft’s proceeds will go directly to employees and essential operational costs during the nonprofit theater’s closure.
The Loft is also working on launching viewing parties, staff favorites with filmed intros and live Q&As in the future.
Press release from Sun Tran:
In an effort to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, the City of Tucson will make the following changes to transit services:
Beginning Saturday, March 21, 2020, the City of Tucson will waive the fares on Sun Tran, Sun Link and Sun Van. These changes are in effect through the end of March, at which point it will be reevaluated.
Transit is an essential service and will remain available during this time. For the safety of our drivers, with the exception of persons using mobility devices, riders will enter and exit the bus from the rear access door. A yellow line and rope have been placed behind the driver to help promote social distancing.
Additionally, in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19, the City of Tucson would ask the public to only use transit for essential services. When utilizing the service, please practice six (6) feet social distancing among passengers. Please keep in mind, loitering on public transit is prohibited.
Restaurants, bars, gyms, and more are being hit especially hard by closures right now, but they aren't the only entities that are being affected.
Almost all organized events through Pima County Parks and Recreation have been canceled in accordance with guidelines put forth by the state in response to COVID-19. They have released a statement, which can be found below:
Almost all organized events through Pima County Parks and Recreation have been canceled in accordance with guidelines put forth by the state in response to COVID-19. They have released a statement, which can be found below:
COVID-19 forces changes to County Parks and Recreation programming
PIMA COUNTY, March 20, 2020 – With an abundance of caution, and in accordance with federal, state and local guidelines, Pima County Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation is canceling nearly all Department-organized events and activities at all of its sites due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, NRPR-operated natural resource parks, urban parks and river parks, and associated facilities are expected to remain open for general public use by individuals and families in the community. Specific facilities may require adjustments in normal operating hours. Staff encourages all users of NRPR sites to practice social distancing and avoid assembling into larger groups to the extent possible.
Tags: Pima county , parks and rec , closures , covid19 , coronavirus , Image
The Washington Post reports:
Meanwhile, Slate reports that Mexico is doing little to prep for the spread of COVID-19:
MEXICO CITY — The United States and Mexico have reached an agreement for a partial closure of the border, according to U.S and Mexican officials.[Washington Post]
Mexico’s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard announced the closure on Twitter, and President Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo confirmed the deal at a White House briefing Friday.
“We are not talking about a closure of the border with the U.S. because it is not that,” Ebrard said early Friday. “It will be restricted; it will be restricted for cases that are related to tourism and recreation.”
Ebrard added that Mexico would continue accepting asylum seekers sent back under the Migrant Protection Protocols, along with Mexican deportees. But it would not allow the United States to return all migrants who cross the border illegally to Mexican territory, as the Trump Administration proposed earlier this week. He insisted the measures would not restrict any economic activity and would “reduce the risk of the virus’s spread.”
Meanwhile, Slate reports that Mexico is doing little to prep for the spread of COVID-19:
Last weekend, 110,000 people attended the “Vive Latino” music festival in Mexico City, which took place as scheduled despite several confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Mexico’s capital. At the same time, while governments worldwide took drastic measures to slow down the spread of the disease, Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, known as AMLO, traveled to the south of Mexico and met with adoring crowds, shaking hands and hugging and kissing supporters. During his daily press conferences, AMLO has insisted that his honesty and moral rectitude protect him from the virus and that the threat of COVID-19 is greatly exaggerated. “I have great faith that we will move our dear Mexico forward, that misfortunes and pandemics won’t affect us,” he told reporters at a press conference on Sunday.[Slate]
Pima County now has eight confirmed cases of Coronavirus, or COVID-19, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services website.
Maricopa County gained 12 cases, putting their totals at 34 confirmed.
Expect as more testing becomes available that these numbers will rise.
Pima County reports that the new case reported today is a female in her 60s who is isolating at home and not hospitalized.
Two the previous individuals who required hospitalization have been released.
For updated case counts and more information about COVID-19, visit www.pima.gov/COVID19. The public can also call 1-844-542-8201 for general questions.
As of today's Arizona Department of Health Services report: A total of 343 people have been tested by the state, for COVID-19; 101 cases are still pending and 211 have been ruled out. A total of 63 people have tested positive by both state and private labs
You can see updated totals from the Arizona Department of Health here.
As for cases throughout the world, this tracker provides an interactive look at how COVID-19 is spreading, and its impacts.
Maricopa County gained 12 cases, putting their totals at 34 confirmed.
Expect as more testing becomes available that these numbers will rise.
Pima County reports that the new case reported today is a female in her 60s who is isolating at home and not hospitalized.
Two the previous individuals who required hospitalization have been released.
For updated case counts and more information about COVID-19, visit www.pima.gov/COVID19. The public can also call 1-844-542-8201 for general questions.
As of today's Arizona Department of Health Services report: A total of 343 people have been tested by the state, for COVID-19; 101 cases are still pending and 211 have been ruled out. A total of 63 people have tested positive by both state and private labs
You can see updated totals from the Arizona Department of Health here.
As for cases throughout the world, this tracker provides an interactive look at how COVID-19 is spreading, and its impacts.
Tags: covid19 , tracking , cases , arizona , update , coronavirus , Image
