E36: COVID-19 Roundtable Update - 7/7

We’re back today with another COVID-19 roundtable, in the shadow of some significant statistics: as of July 6, there are 101,441 confirmed cases in Arizona. It took more than four months to hit 25,000 cases, 15 days to double that number to 50,000 cases, and another short 14 days to get over 101,000. In basic terms, COVID-19 is widespread. An at hospitals, inpatient beds are 84% occupied, while 89% of ICU beds are currently filled.

Combine those statistics with where we are in terms of diagnostic testing availability, results turnaround times, and contact tracing, and there can be only one takeaway: now is definitely NOT the time to ease up. Our behaviors remain the most important tools for helping to flatten a steep curve of infections. Stay at home as much as you possibly can; wash up; mask up; maintain social distancing, and keep a heads up for your fellow Arizonans. We need everyone to be in this together in order to get through this together.

Let's get to it. It’s time to talk about healthcare, public health, policy, and community as we move past perhaps the most unusual 4^th of July in some time and continue adapting to life with COVID-19.