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Maricopa County outlines list of essential workers
Officials say they plan to vaccinate a number of essential worker categories with a single-dose vaccine made by Johnson and Johnson.
MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. - Maricopa County announced on March 10 they will begin vaccinating essential workers with the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine this week.
According to a news release from the Maricopa County Department of Public Health, vaccine prioritization will be given to frontline workers "who maintain critical infrastructure and continue critical services and functions."
The list of prioritized essential workers in Maricopa County includes:
- Food and agriculture
- Grocery store, convenience store, and carnicerias
- U.S. Postal Service
- State and local government
- Funeral homes (if not previously covered in Phase 1A)
- Manufacturing
"Due to the prioritization of those working frontline roles, not everyone in these industries is immediately eligible for vaccine," the department said.
The department said as more vaccine shipments arrive in Maricopa County, more frontline workers in the above industries will be able to get vaccinated.
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Maricopa County residents react
The announcement by Maricopa County officials brought a big sigh of relief for many essential workers who say working amid the pandemic, in many ways unprotected, has been stressful.
"It’s definitely been a little stressful," said Hayler Eckstein, who works at Original Breakfast House in Phoenix, never knowing if one of them may be carrying COVID-19.
Eckstein herself suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis, and is considered at risk for the virus.
"Scary to think about it affecting something with an autoimmune disease, but you gotta do what you gotta do. You gotta go to work," said Eckstein.
"As an owner of a restaurant, my employees are excited about it," said Sean Stingham, who owns Original Breakfast Club.
Stigham says that they’ve done everything they can to ensure the health and safety of customers.
"We’ve got barriers in the restaurant, continue to social distance, so we’ve done a lot, but still it doesn’t help the employees that much. It helps the customer," said Stigham.
That’s why this vaccine employees say will make a world of difference.
"A load off my shoulders. A lot less stress going into the public," said Eckstein
Arizona on Wednesday reported 830 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases along with 78 deaths following two days during which no new deaths were reported amid continued slowing in the coronavirus outbreak.
The latest figures reported by the Department of Health Services increased the state’s pandemic totals to 828,630 confirmed cases and 16,404 deaths.
The number of related hospitalizations continued to drop, with COVID-19 patients occupying 868 inpatient beds as of Tuesday, down from 925 on Monday and only about a sixth of the pandemic peak of 5,082 on Jan. 11.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher than reported because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
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Latest coronavirus numbers in Arizona - 3/10/21
FOX 10's Renee Nelson has the latest coronavirus data from the Arizona Department of Health Services after 830 new cases and 78 additional deaths were reported on March 10.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Coronavirus in Arizona: Latest case numbers
MORE: How to sign up and schedule a COVID-19 vaccine appointment
MORE: Maricopa County COVID-19 vaccine status updates
MORE: Arizona Dept. of Health COVID-19 vaccine prioritization
Symptoms for coronavirus COVID-19 include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath. These, of course, are similar to the common cold and flu.
Expect a common cold to start out with a sore or scratchy throat, cough, runny and/or stuffy nose. Flu symptoms are more intense and usually come on suddenly, and can include a high fever.
Symptoms of COVID-19 may appear more slowly. They usually include fever, a dry cough and noticeable shortness of breath, according to the World Health Organization. A minority of cases develop pneumonia, and the disease is especially worrisome for the elderly and those with other medical problems such as high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or heart conditions.
RELATED: Is it the flu, a cold or COVID-19? Different viruses present similar symptoms
To protect yourself, wash your hands well and often, keep them away from your face, and avoid crowds and standing close to people.
And if you do find yourself showing any of these flu or coronavirus symptoms - don't go straight to your doctor's office. That just risks making more people sick, officials urge. Call ahead, and ask if you need to be seen and where.
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You can also get the latest coronavirus news from around the country at coronavirusnow.com.