What You Need to Know-Week of July 25th
The most important weekly updates for you to keep your community healthy
In this Update:
1. Urgent Updates: COVID-19 Metric
2. How to Stay Safe in the Arizona Heat
1. Urgent Updates: COVID-19 Metrics
| In the past week, there has been an average of: | |
| Cases per day | 2,591 |
| Deaths per day | 9 |
| Compared to two weeks ago: | |
| Cases per day | Decreased by 9% ↓ |
| Deaths per day | Increased by 16% ↑ |
| Hospitalizations per day | Increased by 9% ↑ |
See breakdown of vaccination by Arizona counties
See updated vaccine information and data in Arizona
2. How to Stay Safe in the Arizona Heat
With the hot Arizona summer in full swing, it’s essential to protect yourself from the harmful effects of the sun. From May to August, the average temperature in Arizona can range from 90 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and when accompanied by a high UV index, it can cause detrimental effects on your health. Direct exposure to the sun and extreme heat can cause heat-related illnesses, such as heat cramps, heat stroke, heat rashes, and sunburns. Heat-related illnesses should not be taken lightly, as they cause over 250 deaths and 3,000 emergency room visits yearly. Taking preventative measures will aid in stopping any adverse effects of direct or indirect sun exposure.
Protect yourself from the sun:
Wearing UV protection, including sunscreen, hats, and long, light-colored clothing, to protect against the harmful effects of the sun can help deter the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. Wearing SPF 50 sunscreen, and reapplying every two hours, can protect against damaging ultraviolet rays and protect your skin from sunburns and skin cancer
- Hats can help to protect your head, neck, ears, and face from UV radiation and will also keep you cool!
Avoid being outdoors during peak sun/heat hours:
As ultraviolet rays are the strongest and most harmful between 10 AM and 4 PM, this is the most critical time to protect against the sun.
Stay hydrated:
Dehydration is common during the summer in Arizona, as water from the body is lost during physical activity or simply being outside. Staying hydrated is one of the easiest and most ways to help prevent heat-related illnesses. The amount of water needed to stay hydrated varies by person, but here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- As general guidance, women should aim to drink at least 2.7 liters, and men, roughly 3.7 liters of water a day
- Try and stay away from coffee and sugary drinks, as they can often lead to dehydration
- Keeping a water bottle with you is a subtle yet effective reminder to stay hydrated!
Cooling Centers:
Staying indoors is the most effective way to stay safe from the heat and prevent heat-related illnesses. Keep an eye out for cooling centers in urban areas that provide a break from the heat and direct sun. If you don’t have access to cooling centers, public libraries and public transportation are also great resources to stay safe in the Arizona heat!
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.