What You Need to Know-Week of August 1st
The most important weekly updates for you to keep your community healthy
In this Update:
1. Urgent Updates: COVID-19 Metric
2. Abortion Status in Arizona
1. Urgent Updates: COVID-19 Metrics
| In the past week, there has been an average of: | |
| Cases per day | 2,464 |
| Deaths per day | 10 |
| Compared to two weeks ago: | |
| Cases per day | Increased by 13% ↑ |
| Deaths per day | Increased by 17% ↑ |
| Hospitalizations per day | Increased by 5% ↑ |
See breakdown of vaccination by Arizona counties
See updated vaccine information and data in Arizona
2. Abortion Status in Arizona
As the pandemic evolves, AZCOVIDTXT is broadening our focus to address topics that promote community resilience. Although we will regularly address COVID-related issues, we are also dedicated to providing information to help foster more robust and resilient communities.
On June 24, 2022, the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, directly impacting the decision of individuals to have rights over their bodily autonomy. This decision affects the ability of individuals to make decisions about personal healthcare, including the choice to have an abortion, abortion, fertility care and treatment, contraceptive access, and more. As these health issues are now decided at the state level, there will be changes to state legislature across the country.
In Arizona, however, even experts are unsure of the status of abortion law. It is unclear whether now abortion remains legal in the state or a 1901 law prohibiting abortion in Arizona (except in the event that a mother’s life is at risk) is now in effect. To complicate the status further, earlier this year, state legislation banning abortion beyond 15 weeks of pregnancy was enacted and is said to come into effect this September.
This lack of consensus among state officials on the legality of abortion has created uncertainty for providers and the consequences they may face for providing abortion procedures. Therefore, almost immediately following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, most clinics across the state ceased to offer abortion services. Abortion services are still available in neighboring states of Colorado, California, Nevada, and New Mexico. Medical abortions are available at pharamacies in northern Mexico.
For more information on the effects of the repeal of Roe v. Wade:
- Read Fact Sheet from guttmacher.org
- visit abortionfundofaz.org
To find assistance for abortion costs, travel, and more visit:
- The Abortion Fund of Arizona or call (602) 327-5166
- Tucson Abortion Support Collective or call (520) 235-6934
- National Abortion Federation Hotline or call 1-800-722-9100
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.