What You Need to Know-Week of April 4th
The most important weekly updates for you to keep your community healthy
In this Update:
1. Urgent Updates: COVID-19 Metrics
2. Information You Need: Paxlovid & Molnupiravir – current antiviral treatments
3. Information You Need: Hydrate in the heat!
1. Urgent Updates: COVID-19 Metrics
Updated as of: 04-01-2022
Weekly case, death, and hospitalization counts
| In the past week, there has been an average of: | |
| Cases per day | 652 |
| Deaths per day | 55 |
| Compared to two weeks ago: | |
| Cases per day | Decreased by 11% ↓ |
| Deaths per day | Increased by 14% ↑ |
| Hospitalizations per day | Decreased by 35% ↓ |
See breakdown of vaccination by Arizona counties
See updated vaccine information and data in Arizona
2. Information You Need: Paxlovid & Molnupiravir – current antiviral treatments
The use of antiviral medications has the potential to reduce the number of severe COVID-19 cases resulting in hospitalization or death. Two drugs have been authorized for emergency use by the FDA since the beginning of this year and they have the potential to be another essential component of the COVID-19 pandemic response. Keep reading for more information on both treatments!
Paxlovid is an antiviral treatment that can be used after infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It has been found to be very safe if utilized properly and has shown to reduce the rate of hospitalizations by nearly 90%, and the pill can be taken at home – having the potential to save many lives! This is all great news, but unfortunately availability of the drug is low due to the complex manufacturing process needed to make it. Production is in full force and estimates suggest that one million doses would be available during March and even double that amount in April. Due to limited availability, these treatments are currently recommended for those who are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19 (e.g., those with chronic illnesses).
Molnupiravir, a similar antiviral has been shown to be 30% effective at reducing hospitalization after developing COVID-19. This drug is not ideal for those who are planning to conceive or for individuals who are pregnant, due to some reproductive risks. However, for those who are especially at high risk of death or hospitalization due to a SARS-CoV-2 infection, this is an important resource.
Both drugs are only to be used after someone contracts COVID-19 because they stop the replication of the virus in the body and thus are not useful as a preventative measure. In addition, it is important to consult with your healthcare provider before use, as there are also certain drug interactions to be aware of before using these treatments.
3. Information You Need: Hydrate in the heat!
It is beginning to heat up in Arizona, which means it is a great time to get outdoors. Whether you are new to Arizona or have lived here for a long time, every year it is good to be reminded of the importance of weather and climate preparedness. Every year in Arizona there are countless events of dehydration, about 3,000 emergency room visits, and over 250 deaths due to heat-related illness, so below are some specific tips for being outdoors in the heat:
- Wear protective clothing and apply a 30+ spf sunscreen every two hours
- Stay hydrated and ensure you have enough water (e.g., roughly 2 cups (or .5 liters) of water for every hour spent outdoors)
- Bring a snack
- Take regular breaks during physical activity
- Avoid spending time outdoors during the hottest times of the day (e.g., between noon and 3pm).
Check a local weather source (e.g., a weather app, or sign up for email alerts at azdhs.com) and pay attention to heat alerts and advisories. Avoid spending time outdoors if a heat advisory is in place
If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to COVID-19 in Arizona, please complete next week’s AZCOVIDTXT survey that you will receive via text in about a week.