By L. Parsons The Navajo County Board of Supervisors continues to meet telephonically through the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week they were addressed by the Navajo County Public Health Director Jeff Lee. Lee said, “We are seeing a continued rise in COVID cases throughout Navajo County. As of this morning, we have a total of 655 cases in the county with 6,948 cases in Arizona. A total of 66,543 tests have been taken in Arizona. We have seen over the past week an increased emphasis on testing and supplies have become a little bit more available, which is helping us get a better picture of what the virus is and where it is in our community.” He continued, “Even with the continued rise in cases, there are some real positive indicators. The mitigation measures that are in place are working. We really are slowing and flattening the curve. What we do want our residents to know is that even though we have these positive indicators, the risk of exposure still remains high and we all need to take those extra precautions. Physical distancing, hand washing, disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and wearing a face mask while in public are key things that will continue to slow the spread.” Lee has ordered personal protective equipment for the health care partners in the county. Those items should be arriving this week, as well as some additional testing supplies from the Arizona Department of Health Services. Last week, the county received a Rapid Abbot testing machine. It is currently located at the Little Colorado Medical Center in Winslow. Lee said, “It can produce same day test results. It will help our partners conduct more tests. We have also partnered with University of Arizona who will be conducting anti-body testing with our health care providers and first responders. This will be another tool to help us identify the virus in our community and help with researching its behaviors.” Positive indicators are showing the slowing of the virus in the county. However, Lee said, “We can’t let up. We don’t want to slip up and give this virus an opportunity to do what it wants to do, which is to spread faster and wider than it already has. Go back to those precautionary measures and let’s keep this virus at bay.” Navajo County is also focusing on fire season, Lee said. “We have a group of people looking at how COVID may change how we have done things in the past when it comes to fires. Unfortunately, it is that time of year and it is the last thing we need but we need to make sure that we are prepared for it.” Supervisor Jesse Thompson added, “Thank you for your hard work and thank you for mentioning the fire season. On top of what we are already facing on the Navajo Nation, we are also facing a drought.” In addition to Lee’s update regarding COVID-19, Economic Development Consultant Paul Watson also spoke. His team was assembled in mid-March to look at how the county could help the many small businesses throughout the region face the uncertainty of the virus. “We knew there would be federal and state funding opportunities, so we made sure to get that information to our businesses. We have partnered with cities, towns and chambers of commerce in our region to get current, accurate and pertinent information out as well as to help them fill out loan and grant applications.” The team has 18 agencies or individuals available to help small businesses in Navajo, Apache and Gila counties as well as on the White Mountain Apache Reservation and the Navajo Nation. “We have helped over 90 businesses stay open by connecting them with funding sources. Over $1 million in loan advances have been allocated in our area,” Watson said. “Going forward, we are looking at how we will further assist business owners in this new normal.” For information on how Navajo County is assisting business owners, visit www.navajocountyaz.gov. The Board of Supervisors also convened in an executive session to receive legal counsel and a settlement status update pertaining to the multi-district opioid litigation case in which Navajo County is a participating party. No discussion or action was taken as a result of this executive session. In other business, the Board: * Approved the National Forest Funds Distribution of $834,203 for the benefit of public schools and roads as stated in Arizona Revised Statutes. * Approved a contract with Catapult for an annual subscription to information technology support in the amount of $1,000 with a flexible rate. * Approved the renewal of a five-year contract with Everbridge to provide the county with a mass notification system. Funding for the contract will be provided by the Emergency Management Performance Grant, which requires a 50 percent county match in the amount of $37,407. * Accepted a 2018 HAVA (Help America Vote Act) Election Security Grant in the amount of $100,000. * Proclaimed May 3-9 as Correctional Officers Week in Navajo County. * Approved tax exemptions for widows, widowers and disabled persons who applied after the March 1 deadline. * Approved the sale of 12 back tax land parcels in the amount of $8,498. * Approved Justice Court reports for March from Holbrook, Winslow, Snowflake, Kayenta, Show Low and Pinetop-Lakeside precincts. * Approved Juvenile Probation reports for March. * Approved the Clerk of the Superior Court report for March. The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12.
