By L. Parsons In last week’s Navajo County Board of Supervisor’s meeting, acting Public Health Director Janelle Linn shared disheartening news. Arizona continues to face a rise in COVID-19 cases and Navajo County is no exception. According to Linn, Jan. 12 saw an increase of 103 cases in the previous 24 hours. Part of the nationwide mitigation strategy for the virus is the newly rolled out vaccine campaign. However, concerns are mounting over vaccine supplies. Arizona moved into the second phase of vaccinating essential and at-risk populations. Linn explained, “This tier has been added to 1A, so we didn’t close 1A down, we just added to it. The first tier was health care workers and those living in congregate settings. Tier 1B includes law enforcement, first responders, protective services and educators and adults 75 and older and essential employees such as food service and power companies. We are being very upfront and letting people know that we are already experiencing vaccine shortages.” She continued, “Our demand has surpassed our supply now that we have moved into the next tier of Phase 1. We are asking everyone to be patient, from the facilities that we work with to the public. We expect that it could take us quite some time to be able to move through and vaccinate all of tier 1B, mainly due to the shortage of vaccine.” This shortage is not unique to the county as Linn explained, “We are anxiously listening for the transition of power at the federal level. That may bring changes in how vaccine is rolled out, we are not sure. We are at the mercy of the state who is at the mercy of the manufacturers and the federal allocations. We request vaccines every week from the state health department but we are at the mercy of what is allocated to us. Our first allotment in January was 2,800 doses so we were hopeful that we were going to have a steady supply. We have had three allotments since then and they have been between 400 and 600 doses, so a significant difference.” Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines do require two doses for maximum efficacy but Linn said the shortage will not affect the second doses. “We are allocated a first dose shipment and are guaranteed an equal allotment three weeks later for that second dose.” Efforts are being extended to vaccinate as many people as possible, despite the supply issues. Linn said, “We are doing the best that we can do to push those out as quickly as possible. We are asking that people register for a vaccine and not just show up to vaccine sites. We are not scheduling more appointments than we have vaccine to provide.” In Navajo County, vaccines are being provided at North Country Healthcare locations, Safeway pharmacies in Winslow and Show Low, Summit Healthcare in Show Low, Pediatric Multicare West in Pinetop-Lakeside, Call’s Pharmacy in Snowflake, Little Colorado Medical Center and Winslow Indian Health Care Center in Winslow, and Canyonlands Health Care in Chilchinbeto. To make an appointment to be vaccinated, visit www.navajocountyaz.gov or, call the COVID hotline at 2-1-1 for assistance. The county health department will also be partnering with the Navajo County Library District and various senior centers to assist those who may not have access to the website. “If the clinics are full,” Linn said, “you won’t see options for scheduling and you will need to keep checking back. They are adding appointments as vaccine becomes available so that changes regularly.” Linn continued, “Right now, off of tribal lands, our public health nurses are monitoring 787 households that have either confirmed cases or are isolating due to direct contact. So, here in public health we are focusing on contact tracing and monitoring and utilizing the relationships we have with community partners to facilitate those things.” Navajo County schools continue to be in direct contact with the Public Health Department. Linn said, “We are discussing positivity rates and keeping them informed of our hospital capacity. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey made an announcement involving the funding of schools in relation to distance learning. We are waiting to hear from the Arizona Department of Health Services for more guidance and how that is going to impact the benchmarks that were set for schools and how we can better facilitate those conversations and adjust what we need to do.” Linn is continuing to encourage the wearing of face coverings, social distancing, hand hygiene and staying home when not feeling well. “We have not yet reached the peak of our second surge,” she said. “I know everyone has COVID fatigue and these things feel tedious to some but they need to be practiced.” In other business, the board: * Elected District IV Supervisor Daryl Seymore to serve as chairman for 2021 and District V Supervisor Dawnafe Whitesinger as vice chairman. * Presented a token of appreciation to outgoing chairman Jason Whiting for his work over 2020. * Heard a presentation honoring Whiting as Supervisor of the Year from Graham County Supervisor Paul David on behalf of the Arizona/New Mexico Coalition of Counties for Economic Growth. * Heard a presentation by Sheriff David Clouse in which he explained the new Text To 9-1-1 service in Navajo County. Citizens are now capable of texting the service from their mobile phone. Photos and videos are not yet accepted but Clouse is hopeful that will become available in the future. * Heard a presentation by Criminal Justice Coordinator Dawn Wilson on the evolving reform for Navajo County’s mental health crisis and criminal justice as it pertains to the seriously mentally ill population. Wilson stated an average of four people facing serious mental health issues are incarcerated each week. * Certified fiscal year 2020-21 Fill the Gap allocations in the amount of $199,271. Navajo County collects monies through the courts in various fees. That money is disbursed to courts, the county attorney’s office and indigent defense. * Approved a modification to a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service grant to provide Navajo County Sheriff’s Office services within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest. The modification increases the grant allocation by $10,000 for calendar year 2021 to allow for a salary increase for Deputy Chief Bruce Tucker to $23.22 per hour. * Approved an intergovernmental agreement with Pinal County for use of their juvenile detention facility at $347 per juvenile per day for overflow when the Coconino County detention center is at capacity. * Approved a joint funding agreement with the United States Geological Survey for operating and maintaining seven surface water gaging stations. Navajo County will contribute $55,400 in fiscal year 2021. Data collected at the stations will contribute to larger water studies. * Approved a one-year contract with Kimley-Horn in the amount of $4,500. The company will study and recommend improvements for an equestrian crossing on Buck Springs Road in Pinetop Country Club to make the crossing safer. Funding will come from the Highway User Revenue Fund. * Approved a one-year extension to the contract with American Pavement Preservation, LLC for slurry seal services through February 2022. No further cost to the county will be accrued as the contract is payable per work order. * Approved the first amendment to the Child Care Health Consultant Program for an increase in funding to provide 10 new childcare sites on the Navajo Nation. Funding is provided by First Things First. * Approved a memorandum of understanding between Mountain Park Health Center and the county for breastfeeding peer counseling. Funding will come from the State of Arizona’s Women Infant Children’s (WIC) Program. * Approved a request by the White Mountain Lakes County Recreation Improvement District to open a bank account for the purpose of collecting revenues. * Approved a Special Use Permit following a public hearing to construct and operate a 105-foot wireless communications tower in Lakeside. * Adopted a resolution approving an amendment to the county zoning ordinances regarding the distance between buildings. The amendment revises the code that previously mandated 15 feet between buildings on the same lot. The amendment changes that to require only five feet between buildings in all zoning codes. * Accepted the retirement of Pinetop-Lakeside Justice of the Peace David Widmaier and appointed Judge Robert Higgins to fill the vacancy for the remainder of his term. * Appointed Judge Robert Higgins as Justice of the Peace Pro Tempore and Juvenile Hearing Officer until Dec. 31. * Presented awards and congratulations to football teams from Snowflake High School for their win in the 3A State Championship and Mogollon High School for their win in the 1A State Championship. * Adopted a resolution supporting the improvement and expansion of the White Mountain Trail System south of Show Low. With this support, volunteer trail developing groups, TRACKS and Save the Buena Vista Foundation will present a proposal to the United States Forest Service to officially designate approximately 11 miles of trails within the Buena Vista area into the official White Mountain Trail System for permission to build approximately 18 miles of new trail. * Sent sympathy letters to Nick McVicker, Arizona State Representative Arlando Teller and the family of Tommie Martin. * Cancelled elections for Pinedale and Timberland Acres domestic water improvement districts and appointed Richard L. Hileman and Gary L. Engman to the Pinedale DWID and J.S. Ison to the Timberland DWID. * Cancelled the elections for the Timberland Acres and White Mountain Lakes special road districts and declared vacancies on both. * Approved warrant and voucher reports over $1,000 for December. * Approved the sale of 50 back tax land parcels sold over the counter in the amount of $20,031. The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Information on how to attend the meeting virtually can be found on the county website at www.navajocountyaz.gov.
