By L. Parsons Although more and more people are receiving COVID vaccines, authorities caution that now is not the time to relax social distancing and safety protocols, especially with new variants of the disease now being reported in the state that could induce a fourth wave of infection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that as of last week, over 500,000 Americans have died as a result of COVID-19 and it is the third leading cause of death behind heart disease and cancer in the United States. In Navajo County vaccine rollout has been positive as explained by Navajo County Public Health Director Janelle Linn. “The State of Arizona, as a whole, is at 26.8% of the population vaccinated. Navajo County is around 27% of our population vaccinated. We have administered around 29,606 doses, 19,214 of those are first doses and over 10,000 people have completed their vaccine series.” The Navajo Nation has also been successful in distributing vaccines. Captain Brian Johnson, the acting deputy area director for the Navajo Area Indian Health Service Department said, “We have administered over 207,000 vaccines on Navajo and are in the top 20% nationally in terms of administering vaccinations, impressive given the rural nature of our communities.” In a conversation with Dr. Joshua LaBaer, the director of Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute, he said, “We strongly encourage everyone to receive one of the vaccine choices as soon as possible. Right now in Arizona everyone over the age of 16 is eligible.” He continued to explain that in addition to the South African, Brazilian and United Kingdom variants, others are gaining ground in Arizona. “At our ASU testing labs, we are seeing more and more of the U.K. variant. However, the California variant is the most common and we have recently discovered yet another variant we are calling the Arizona variant.” However, LaBaer said, “We are seeing the efficacy of the vaccine and antibodies lessened in relation to these variants, but not enough to be of concern.” Dr. Efrem Lim, a virologist with the Biodesign Institute added, “All virus will naturally have mutations and evolutions or variants. The good thing is, we see that the three vaccines that are in use in Arizona are effective against them and we can always update the vaccine as needed.” LaBaer explained, “When we see these variants, we are seeing that they are more contagious and, in some cases, produce more severe outcomes. A variant being more contagious means a measure of virus in the system. So, if someone is infected, we ask what is the likelihood that they will pass it to another person or how many people on average they may give it to. The U.K. variant is a higher number, they just give it to more people. When it’s introduced into a community, it becomes the dominant strain in that area. That means it’s being handed off from person to person more readily than other variants of that type. We don’t know why it’s transmitting more readily, but clearly this particular variant transmits easily. The other thing to remember is that it a bit more lethal. People who have this strain, in studies, seemed to have more severe outcomes.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky, as well as White House Chief Medical Advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci have issued pleas to the public asking Americans to remain vigilant in public health efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 even with the success of the vaccination rollout. Continuing mitigation efforts coupled with vaccination distribution could, according to Fauci, help prevent a fourth wave of the virus. In a recent press conference Walensky said, “I’m going to reflect on the recurring feeling I have of impending doom. We have so much promise and potential of where we are and so much reason for hope but right now, I’m scared. Just please hold on a little while longer. We are almost there but not quite yet. Get vaccinated when you can so the people we love will still be here when this pandemic ends.” President Joe Biden also issued a statement asking, “Every governor, mayor and local leader to maintain and reinstate mask mandates. The failure to take this seriously will mean more deaths.” To help get ahead of the variant spread, Biden has guaranteed that 90% of all American adults will have access to a vaccine before April 19. He continued, “We will also ensure there is a vaccine site within five miles of 90% of all Americans. That is good news for rural communities and populations who have been greatly impacted by the virus with limited access to travel. Vaccinations against COVID-19 are currently available at several sites around Navajo County including Safeway pharmacies and North Country HealthCare clinics in Holbrook and Winslow; the Little Colorado Medical Center and the Winslow Indian Health Care Center in Winslow; and Calls Pharmacy in Snowflake. Patients are encouraged to contact their primary care physicians to make an appointment.
