By L. Parsons The Winslow City Council met last week and received an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Winslow’s hospital, the Little Colorado Medical Center. Incident Commander Christie Ross said, “The cases of COVID are rising in Winslow exponentially. They are rising nationwide exponentially to be honest.” She noted that as the pandemic affects younger age groups, it will continue to rise. “The good news is that it’s not resulting in the hospitalizations that it did in the beginning of the pandemic. And those hospitalizations remain in the older age groups. Younger groups are still not seeing that rise. The new cases are also not resulting in a significant amount of new deaths, according to CDC (Centers for Disease Control) information.” She continued to break down the information for Winslow specifically. “Our county was hit sooner compared to the state peaks. Our peaks are wider and we are seeing an increase in cases. What that means in Winslow and at Little Colorado (Medical Center), is that we are definitely seeing an increase in hospitalizations and emergency department visits especially in the last week. There are occasional deaths still due to COVID so please protect yourselves and each other.” According to Ross, six people were hospitalized at LCMC as of Nov. 17. “There is an uptick everywhere,” she said. “We were seeing in July a 40 to 50 percent ICU bed usage and now we are at about 20 percent of ICU beds being used by COVID patients. So more than we were a month ago but fewer than we were in July.” As other experts have been doing recently, Ross reminded the council and others to be cognizant during the holiday season. People should still be limiting their gathering sizes, wearing masks and washing hands frequently. “We are seeing that the cases here in our county, and in Winslow and our service area are more likely transmitted by someone you know and not the door handle at the grocery store.” Ross continued, “There are two vaccines that are going through FDA (Federal Drug Administration) approval in the next few weeks. Both require two doses and both require cold storage. Navajo County is in the process of choosing between those two because it will make it easier logistically to go with one across the board. We will first get vaccines out to health care workers, first responders and people at high risk. That will happen, we hope around December but it could be January or February.” On Friday, the City of Winslow issued a press release limiting city services due to the uptick in COVID cases. “City facilities, departments and staff have returned to modified operations and schedules, utilizing telework options and staggered shifts where possible to accommodate office coverage and limit personal contact.” In other business, the council: * Heard the financial report for September. Citywide revenues were $249,113 bringing year to date totals to $4.2 million. Citywide expenditures were $379,692 bringing year to date totals to $2.7 million. * Winter hours for the Mother Road Farmer’s Market will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 28, at the Girl Scout House, located at 500 E. Cherry St. Masks and pandemic protocols will be in place. * Approved a $500 contribution to the Because We Care Committee as is customary. Funding comes from the Special Events budget. * Heard a quarterly report from Winslow Police Chief Ken Arend. It was reported that four members of the staff of WPD are currently under a mandatory 14-day quarantine as they have been exposed to the COVID virus. Chief Arend also mentioned the calls for service to WPD have increased in the last quarter, including those regarding suicide and attempted suicide. Arend said, “Our calls related to suicide have increased an alarming 55 percent. I would like to remind all of you that there is help available if you are feeling like self-harming in any way.” * Approved a $500 donation from the mayor and council fund to support the annual Hashknife Pony Express ride. The ride has historically taken place in February but has been postponed to mid-April. * Approved a resolution establishing regulations for the City of Winslow Agriculture Commission. * Approved a resolution accepting the canvass of votes and election returns for the general/special election held Nov. 3. * Approved a resolution adopting the Federal Transportation Administration and ADOT Title VI Plan for the City of Winslow. * Adopted an ordinance amending personnel policies within the City Code. Councilmember Samantha Crisp offered the only no vote on the matter citing the need for further discussion and clarification on amendments relating to visible tattoos in the workplace. The ordinance was adopted through a roll call vote with the understanding that it is a malleable document that leaves room for the changes suggested by Crisp. * Adopted a resolution regarding personnel policies and procedures set forth in the above ordinance. Crisp offered a no vote on the resolution as well for the same reasons stated above. City of Winslow attorney Trish Struhan assured the council that amending and updating the policies is not a difficult procedure and any changes suggested by the council members will be presented again in a future meeting. The next meeting of the Winslow City Council, which will include the swearing in of Mayor Elect Roberta “Birdie” Cano and freshman council members Jim Maclean, Melissa Buter-Nelson and Peter Cake, will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 8, in the main hall of the Hubbell Building, located at 523 W. Second St.
