By Alison Steinbach| Arizona Republic
Maricopa County public health officials urged individuals to take more vigilant action against the rising tide of COVID-19 by avoiding groups, wearing masks, washing hands and heeding other precautions.
The county, like the rest of Arizona, has seen significant jumps in case numbers in the past two weeks, causing concern among some experts that the state is headed in the wrong direction.
County public health officials on Wednesday discussed the significant case increases, warning individuals of rising community spread and recommending they take precautions to slow COVID-19.
For its part, the county is now requiring employees to wear masks when social distancing is not possible. The action comes two months after the state recommended that people start wearing masks.
“Everyone has taken notice of the increasing number of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Maricopa County, both of which have reached an all-time high since the pandemic started,” said Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine, medical director of disease control for the Maricopa County Department of Public Health.
