Northern Arizona Healthcare provided the following press release on Tuesday, March 10, denying erroneous reports of coronavirus diagnoses in the area, at least as of Tuesday:
“We’re receiving phone calls and seeing things on social media where people are sharing misinformation about the COVID-19 virus. Northern Arizona Healthcare has not confirmed any cases of COVID-19 and does not have any patients who have tested positive in any of our facilities.
“Some of the confusion is coming from the public not understanding that Coronavirus is a larger group of common viruses. COVID-19 is a new strain of Coronavirus. The other strains are more common and have been around for longer. We’re wondering if any of you would be interested in debunking this misunderstanding of the virus. Dr. Terriquez, our infectious diseases doctor, stated this in his answers to the Daily Sun’s questions a few weeks back but it might be a good idea to do it again to ensure our communities and your readers have accurate information.
“We encourage you to share in the newspaper and via social media that Northern Arizona Healthcare has not confirmed any cases of COVID-19. The source of truth for all detection in the communities are the respective counties – Coconino and Yavapai – through their health departments.
“If you would like more information on the different types of Coronavirus please call our media hotline at 928-362-0772. Our team can take your questions and send them to one of our experts to expedite response time.”
“Yavapai County Community Health Services Section Manager for Communicable Diseases, Stephen Everett, confirmed at a press conference on Thursday morning that zero cases in Yavapai County have been identified at this time. He warned that the virus would eventually come to the area, but stressed that it has not made it hear yet.”
If you want or need any information about coronavirus COVID-19, please check the following:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
- The Arizona Department of Health Services: https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/infectious-disease-epidemiology/index.php
- Coconino County Health and Human Services’ Office of Health Services https://www.coconino.az.gov/covid19
- Yavapai County Community Health Services: http://www.yavapai.us/chs
- The World Health Organization: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
- The White House’s “Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus” https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspension-entry-immigrants-nonimmigrants-certain-additional-persons-pose-risk-transmitting-2019-novel-coronavirus/
