By L. Parsons Last week, during the Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting, an update on the COVID-19 pandemic was given by County Public Health Director Janelle Linn. “We are seeing cases start to surge through our community again. Last week, we ended the week with 169 new cases reported to our county nurses, so those are non-tribal cases. That was an increase from the week before that saw 148 new cases.” She explained that the entire month of July saw 304 positive COVID cases reported and August, as of the meeting held on Aug. 24, had already seen 502 new cases. Daily reports are increasing rapidly as well and affecting a different age group than previously observed, according to Linn. “Yesterday, we had 47 reported. We are seeing a high percentage of positives in younger individuals.” To put that in perspective, she continued, “Last week the average age was 40 and 60% of our cases were in individuals ages 40 and under with 25% of those being 18 years old or younger.” With schools opening around the area recently, Linn noted that she was not surprised to see an increase in COVID cases among school aged children. She said, “Of our 47 cases yesterday, 11 of those were linked to a school and were in staff members or students.” Linn is continuing to encourage vaccines for all Navajo County residents over the age of 12. “The Federal Food and Drug Administration announced they had given full approval to the Pfizer manufactured vaccine for individuals 16 and older. Those under 16 are still eligible for vaccine, but under the emergency use approval still.” Linn explained that hospitals around the county have expressed concern to the number of hospitalizations they have been receiving. “They are encouraging people to follow mitigation techniques such as mask wearing, distancing and hand washing. We are really trying to encourage people to stay home if they are sick even if they feel it is only allergies. One of the things Summit Health Care shared with us is that they’re being at or near capacity is due to a couple of things. One being staffing shortages as nurses are leaving the profession nationwide. They are also seeing an increase in all types of hospital admissions, not only COVID related. Their COVID admissions, however are much sicker this time than with previous surges and the hospital stays are much longer which ties up hospital and ICU beds.” Information on daily and weekly COVID updates can be found on the county website at www.navajocountyaz.gov. In other business, the board: * Approved letters of sympathy to Ryan Taylor and Harland Cleveland. * Approved the sale of back tax land parcels sold over the counter in the amount of $10,529. * Approved a thank you letter to Craig Sullivan and Rudy Molera of the County Supervisors Association for their attendance of the Aug. 10 Navajo County Board of Supervisors meeting. * Approved acceptance of grant funds in the amount of $1,723 from the State of Arizona’s Constables, Ethics, Standard, Training board for Navajo County constables to attend the national training conference. * Approved a contract signed by the County Manager Glenn Kephart in the amount of $46,200 with Ironside Engineering and Development for the Bourbon Ranch Road speed study and signing/striping plan in Show Low. * Approved the equitable sharing agreement and certification annual report by Sheriff David Clouse for fiscal year 2021. The report reflects the expenditures and revenue for justice and treasury funds. The funds from both Justice and Treasury are used for the Major Crimes Apprehension Team (MCAT) operations. * Authorized the receipt of grant from the Office of the Attorney General Victim’s Rights Program in the amount of $13,322 for 21.5% of the salary and employee related benefits for the Victim’s Rights Program secretary. * Approved a memorandum of understanding between the Sheriff’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigations Safe Trails Task Force to identify criminal groups responsible for drug trafficking and related activities. The memorandum outlines the responsibilities of the participating agencies. * Approved an amendment to a contract between the county and the Arizona State Prison Complex in Winslow relating to inmate work, roads and ground maintenance. The amendment adds language pertaining to COVID-19 protocols. The contract states that any contractor employees who have contact with any inmate worker or Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry (ADCRR) staff who have contact with inmate workers, are required to provide proof of a negative COVID test result. Tests must then be confirmed and any positive tests must be reported within two hours. Inmate workers will be provided with face coverings by the ADCRR. * Approved the issuance of stale dated checks sent as refunds for overpayment of property taxes or investment payments. * Approved an agreement with the Arizona Association of County School Superintendents. The agreement, which will last 10 years, ensures the Navajo County School Superintendent a position in the Arizona Association of County School Superintendents which will serve as a liaison to civic and governmental agencies on educational issues and enhance delivery of educational services for the benefit of Arizona public schools. * Approved broadband and public health expenses in the amount of $415,592 accrued from March 3 to June 30 to be paid by ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) funds received in June. * Recognized county employees including Scott Badger of the Sheriff’s Office, Rick Denton of Public Works and Gabriella Tovar of the County Attorney’s Office for their excellence in personal performance. * Congratulated county employees for their extended service to Navajo County. Lee White of the County Attorney’s Office for five years; Public Defender Anna Atencio and Kimberly McAllester of the Treasurer’s Office, each for 10 years; Robert Douglas with the Planning and Zoning Department for 15 years; Dennis Warren with the jail for 20 years; and Marlene Sample of the Assessor’s Office for 25 years. * Approved a modification to a memorandum of agreement between Arizona State University’s Unintentional Drug Overdose Reporting System and the county. The program provides Arizona and its communities a better understanding of all drug overdose deaths and guides local and national decisions on the issue as well as helping to allocate resources where they are needed most. The modification adds language to the agreement allowing for the collection of data pertaining to the Centers for Disease Control drug overdose reporting system. * Approved a contract in an amount not to exceed $10,000 signed by the county manager with AZ Map Tech, LLC for professional services for on-call drafting, survey and drone services as needed. The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 14, in the board meeting room, located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive.
