Arizona's COVID-19 Cases Could Reach "Crisis Point" After Thanksgiving

As coronavirus cases continue to rise across the state, health experts are beginning to worry that conditions could grow dire over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Dr. Joe Gerald, an associate professor with the University of Arizona's Zuckerman College of Public Health, stated, "I don't see us reaching any particular crisis point before Thanksgiving. But once we hit Thanksgiving and move towards Christmas and New Year’s, I think we will eventually reach a crisis point.”

The number of COVID-19 cases have increased from week to week by 32% in Pima County and 12% statewide, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services' chart of COVID cases by date, as of Friday.

According to Dr. Francisco Garcia, the chief medical officer of Pima County, the increase is a result of community transmission and that there is "no single locality that's driving the increase."

Garcia told Tucson.com, "I'm starting to get to the point where I think we're going to be seesawing this way or a while until we reach a level of community immunity through vaccination. I'm starting to wonder if this is what the new normal will look like over the next few months."

Garcia said that, in terms of further restrictions, the state would be responsible for any at-home orders. It's possible that the county could enact some policies in terms of restaurants, pools, or in-person schooling, but there is currently no evidence that those are a big driver of community spread.

Photo: Getty Images

Source: Tucson.com