CORONAVIRUS NEWS
This page will include all Health Alerts, News Releases and Public Service Announcements from our Graham County Health Department regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19) in our valley. If you have questions regarding COVID-19, testing, or vaccinations please contact the Health Department at 928-428-0110.
ADHS: RSV & Flu in Arizona
Protect yourself and your loved ones this flu season.
ADHS launches mobile COVID-19 testing program for underserved communities
Complements mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics that have administered 126,000 doses
The Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) has launched a mobile COVID-19 testing program through which its Office of Health Equity is reaching out to people across Arizona who have been hard-hit by the pandemic.
In coordination with county and community-based partners, ADHS will send mobile testing providers anywhere in the state to provide pop-up testing sites. The program focuses on underserved Arizonans, including but not limited to the unsheltered, those in correctional facilities, and people in congregate housing settings.
All services are free for everyone.
Health equity is the overriding goal of everything ADHS does. Mobile testing clinics build on efforts to remove any barriers underserved communities face in accessing care needed to protect against severe illness and death from COVID-19.
The risk of spreading COVID-19 is higher in settings the mobile testing program targets. In addition, the higher prevalence of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic diseases among these populations places them at higher risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19, including hospitalization and death.
All community partners working with diverse or traditionally underserved communities statewide are encouraged to request mobile COVID-19 testing using a request form available atop the ADHS COVID-19 testing page at azhealth.gov/TestingEquity.
Funding for mobile testing comes from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Prevention of Emerging Infectious Diseases Cooperative Agreement.
The mobile testing initiative complements an ADHS mobile vaccination program coordinated by the Office of Health Equity through which pop-up clinics by trusted community partners have administered more than 130,000 doses of lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine.
NEWS RELEASE FROM OUR GRAHAM COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT:
All adults are now eligible to receive the new bivalent Covid booster vaccination. The booster must be spaced at least 2 months after completion of the primary series or your last covid booster. If you have not been vaccinated or need a booster, please call the Graham County Health Department at (928) 428-0110 to schedule an appointment.
The vaccination clinic is located at 627 W. Main Street in Safford.
Adult Vaccination Clinic: Every Thursday from 1:00 – 4:00 pm
Children Vaccination Clinic: Every Thursday from 4:00 – 5:30 pm
We are also scheduling appointments for the new bivalent booster for 12-18 years of age.
Walk-ins are welcome. You may contact our Graham County Health Department at 928-428-0110 if you have questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19: What you should know
ESRI Interactive Map:
Other Graham County Departments - News Releases and PSA’s regarding the coronavirus (COVID-19):
- No new releases at this time
Red Cross Blood Drive
Blood Information
Thanks to the many who gave blood and scheduled upcoming appointments, the American Red Cross has been able to meet immediate patient needs. During this uncertain time, we encourage individuals to keep scheduled blood donation appointments and to make new blood donation appointments for the weeks ahead to ensure a stable supply throughout this pandemic.
- There remains an ongoing need for platelet donations due to their short, five-day shelf life.
- In times of crisis, the Red Cross is fortunate to witness the best of humanity as people roll up a sleeve to help those in need. We greatly appreciate the generosity of the public.
- There is no known end date in this fight against coronavirus and the Red Cross needs the help of blood and platelet donors and blood drive hosts to maintain a sufficient blood supply for weeks to come. It’s important to remember that blood is perishable and cannot be stockpiled.
Blood Collections
Thank you to our generous blood and platelet donors across Arizona who continually donate blood especially during this nationwide blood shortage. Red Cross blood drives have been canceled across the country due to coronavirus concerns, resulting in more than 375,000 fewer blood donations. We are asking all healthy donors to go online to redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or call 1-800-RED-CROSS.