(Disclosure: Rose Law Group represents HealthyVerify Certification.)
By Mike Sunnucks | Rose Law Group Reporter
COVID-19 numbers in Arizona are improving but a leading medical expert expects the economy, schools, public life to have to continue to navigate the virus for the next year.
“Things are getting better in Arizona,” said Dr. Ana Moran, a clinical associate professor at the Barrow Neurological Institute and medical director for HealthyVerify Certification (HVC).
HVC helps school districts, workplaces, businesses, sports teams, and nonprofits develop and best practices to curb the spread of COVID-19 that go above and beyond guidelines from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and other agencies.
Moran spoke about the COVID-19 situation in Arizona during a virtual breakfast forum hosted today by the Pinal Partnership.
Moran said mask mandates, social distancing and other COVID order have helped slow the spread of the virus statewide.
“If we continue to do the right thing, we will continue to see a decrease in the spread of infections,” Moran said.
Arizona has 196,899 total COVID cases and 4,688 deaths. Hospitalizations, use of intensive care unit beds and the spread of COVID have all been showing improvements.
Moran stressed as the numbers improve that will lead to more schools and businesses reopening which could result in new upticks in cases. “That will bring a spike,” she said.
Moran said until a vaccine is developed public health and the economy will have to find a balance in dealing with COVID. She expect the balancing efforts to continue for the next 11 to 12 months.
“We’re still a long way from widespread distribution of a vaccine,” Moran said during the Pinal Partnership forum.
The infectious disease expert said the key will be to balance public health concerns with the economy and jobs. “There is no need for public health to be at the opposite end from the economy,” Moran said.
Moran said it is better for children, especially younger children, to go back to school. She said COVID levels in the U.S. to do need to get to lower levels to emulate school reopenings in other countries.
“It has to be done in a safe way,” Moran said.
HealthyVerify Certification is the only independent medically based, scientific, and professional certification company in the U.S. helping reduce the risk of COVID-19.
HVC’s clients include the Scottsdale Unified School District, Avondale Elementary School District, Offerpad, Haydon Building Corp., Phoenix United FC, and the city of Goodyear.
