By L. Parsons Navajo County Public Health Director Janelle Linn presented an update regarding the COVID-19 pandemic to the Board of Supervisors last week. For the first time in months, according to Linn, the number of positive cases in Navajo County as well as statewide are declining. “Yesterday,” began Linn, “we had 12 new positives to report in 24 hours. That is a big improvement from our 150 positives per day. We continue to see the same trend across Arizona and with our tribal partners.” In total, since the department began tracking the virus in March 2020, “We have 14,936 cases in Navajo County and 449 deaths,” said Linn. The Centers for Disease Control as well as researchers nationwide have been discussing variants of the virus over the last few weeks. Linn said, “There are three variants circulating in the United States. One out of the United Kingdom, one out of South Africa and one out of Brazil. So far in the State of Arizona, only the U.K. strain has been identified but to date, we have not seen the variants in Navajo County. So far, they are saying the vaccines are still adequate to cover against these strains.” According to Board Chairman Daryl Seymore, Navajo County is in the top five counties in Arizona for vaccine distribution, and the Navajo Nation is number one in the state. Linn continued, “Vaccines are going well in our county as far as the rollout and distribution. In the state, over 861,000 residents have been vaccinated and in Navajo County, 11,161 so that is encouraging to us. Our main problem is that we continue to have a vaccine shortage. We have the resources we need in place to push out a POD (point of dispensing) model once we have the vaccines we need. We have a team in place including our local fire departments who will help support our eight POD sites across Navajo County.” Linn also explained, “We have a plan in place to make sure we are considering our high risk populations, including our developmentally delayed and long term care facilities.” The Board of Supervisors also heard a presentation from the United States Census acknowledging county employee Bryan Cook for his efforts in the 2020 census. Cook, according to Census Partner Specialist Tammy Parise, played a large part in the high number of Navajo County residents who took part in the census count. Cook led a team that focused on marketing and promotion of the census. His campaign included in-person outreach as well as a social media push that included links and information to self-respond to the 2020 census. Holbrook, Snowflake, Taylor and Winslow all reported above 50 percent response rates. The census helps determine federal funding as well as providing demographic information. In other business, the board: * Approved a contract for redistricting consultation services in an amount not to exceed $100,000 to Federal Compliance Consulting, LLC. Every 10 years, all Arizona counties are required to redistrict all of their supervisorial districts and community college districts based on the most recent census. Federal Compliance Consulting, LLC will ensure the process remains independent, depoliticized and compliant with state and federal laws. * Approved the warrant and voucher report over $1,000 for January. * Approved the reissuance of stale dated checks. These were issued as refunds for overpayment of property taxes or investor payments. * Approved fiscal year 2020 fund transfers for October through December 2020. * Approved a contract amendment in the amount of $12,000 to Tomhave Group Inc., to provide professional services in advocating for the Little Colorado at Winslow Levee and Tribal Road H 60. The group will work to obtain support of the Navajo Nation Council and President Jonathan Nez, create a congressional brief and develop a legislative funding strategy in hopes to appropriate funding from congress for levee improvements. The amendment extends the contract until Aug. 31. * Approved a letter of sympathy to be sent to the family of former Navajo Nation President and Arizona Senator Albert Hale. The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23. The meeting will be held remotely with instructions to attend on the county website at www.navajocountyaz.gov.
