COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona

COVID-19 pandemic in Arizona refers to the ongoing viral pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), within the U.S. state of Arizona. The first case in Arizona was confirmed on January 26, 2020.

Timeline[edit | edit source]

The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Arizona was reported on January 26, 2020, in a person who had recently returned from travel in Wuhan, China. By March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and the state of Arizona declared a public health emergency.

Response[edit | edit source]

The state's response to the pandemic has been led by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), which has coordinated testing, contact tracing, and the distribution of personal protective equipment. In addition, the Governor of Arizona, Doug Ducey, issued a stay-at-home order on March 30, 2020, which lasted until May 15, 2020.

Impact[edit | edit source]

The pandemic has had a significant impact on the state's economy, healthcare system, and education system. Many businesses, particularly in the hospitality and tourism sectors, have faced closures and financial hardship. The state's healthcare system has been strained, with hospitals experiencing capacity issues. Schools across the state have also been affected, with many shifting to remote learning.

Vaccination[edit | edit source]

Vaccination efforts in Arizona began in December 2020 following the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As of March 2021, Arizona has administered over 2 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.