What You Need to Know-Week of May 4th
The most important weekly updates for you to keep your community healthy
In this Update:
1. Updated Stay-at-Home Order
2. CDC Updated Symptom List
3. Testing for COVID-19
1. Updated Stay-at-Home Order
On April 29, Governor Ducey extended Arizona’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected Order until May 15. Arizonans should stay home unless they are participating in an essential activity (e.g., buying groceries, going to a doctor’s appointment, engaging in outdoor exercise activities etc.). As part of a plan to re-open some businesses, the Governor has decided:
- Beginning May 1: Hospitals, dental offices, and other health care facilities could resume elective surgeries if certain conditions are met.
- Beginning May 4: retail stores can reopen for business by operating curbside delivery, window service, walk-up service, drive-through service, drive-up service, or delivery service.
- Beginning May 8: retail stores may begin in-person operations if they establish and follow specific physical distancing and sanitation measures set by the Arizona Department of Health Services and the United States Department of Labor.
Arizonans who we are not working in essential businesses should continue to shelter in place. As more stores begin to re-open, social distancing practices should be exercised to help slow the spread of COVID-19.
What is currently open in Arizona under this amended order?
| Auto Mechanics | Banks | Car Dealers |
| Charitable & Social Services | Construction | Credit Unions |
| Critical Trades | Delivery & Take-Out Dining | Elective Surgeries |
| Essential Retail | Gas Stations | Golf Courses |
| Goodwill | Grocery Stores | Hardware Stores |
| Heath Operations | Hotels & Motels | Laundry Services |
| Manufacturing | Media | Pharmacies |
| Postal Services | Public Health Operations | State Parks |
2. CDC Updated Symptom List
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have updated their symptom list for COVID-19 to include 6 additional potential signs of infection. It is important to watch for all, both original and newly added symptoms, especially in combinations of two or more of the following:
| Original Symptoms | Number of AZCOVIDTXT Households Reporting These Symptoms |
Newly Added Symptoms | Number of AZCOVIDTXT Households Reporting These Symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fever | 44 | Chills | 25 |
| Cough | 69 | Repeated shaking with chills | N/A |
| Shortness of breath | 32 | Muscle pain | 62 |
| Headache | 70 | ||
| Sore throat | 45 | ||
| New loss of taste or smell | 12 |
Symptoms usually appear between 2-14 days after exposure; however, it is important to remember that many people who have the virus do not show any symptoms, so make sure to practice social distancing and follow the CDC guidelines even if you feel healthy.
Based on AZCOVIDTXT households with at least one person reporting COVID-19 symptoms, the top three most common symptoms are fatigue, headache, and cough.
3. Testing for COVID-19
There are two testing initiatives that are launching this weekend:
- Diagnostic “Testing Blitz” – The Arizona Department of Health Services is expanding COVID-19 virus testing throughout Arizona counties in what is being called a “Testing Blitz.” Diagnostic tests are used to tell if you currently have a COVID-19 infection. A positive test result means that you are infected with the COVID-19 virus and can infect other people. The goal for the “Testing Blitz” is to test 30,000-60,000 people over the next 3 Saturdays in May: May 2nd, 9th, and 16th. Information on testing locations, times, and how to register for a test can be found here.
- Antibody testing initiative – The State of Arizona, in partnership with the University of Arizona, plans to administer tests to healthcare workers and first responders in Pima County and across the state. Antibody tests can tell you if you had the virus in the past. These tests cannot tell you if you are currently infected. If you are a first responder or health care worker, you can find more information and to sign up to receive a test here.