Chris Richards/University of Arizona
In the United States, more people have been at least partially vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 – the virus that causes COVID-19 – than have contracted it. To date, over 27.4 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported, while 38.3 million people have received at least one dose of the vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In Arizona, nearly 800,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported to date, while more than 840,000 people have received at least one shot.
Yet, this is just the beginning of the battle. The number of confirmed cases per day is falling nationally, and the trend should continue as the vaccine reaches more people. But many scientists agree that for the population to reach herd immunity, at least 70% of people should receive both doses of the currently available Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.
Advertisement: Tier three includes the second doses needed to provide complete immunization, tier four contains first doses for those 70 and older and others in the 1B priority group, tier five includes extending vaccinations to the 65+ population and tier six focuses on the state-operated site at UA. Pima County’s limited vaccine supply will be distributed in this order, but the amount of available vaccine falls far behind the need for them, especially in vulnerable communities.
Limited vaccine supply undermines county’s efforts to reach at-risk populations Long before the first case of COVID-19 was discovered in the United States, the CDC created a social vulnerability index (SVI) to determine which specific census tracts or subdivisions of counties would be most impacted by an emergency event, including a disease outbreak.
More Answers to Your Questions About COVID-19 Vaccinations arizona.edu - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from arizona.edu Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Classes of fewer than 50 students will be able to meet in person beginning Feb. 22. Students will not be required to attend courses in person if they'd prefer to continue in a remote format.
Chris Richards/University of Arizona
The University of Arizona will remain in stage 1 of its reentry plan this week and next week, with only essential courses meeting in person.
University President
Robert C. Robbins said the university may move into stage 2 the week of Feb. 22 if public health conditions allow. At that point, classes of 50 students or fewer would be permitted to meet in person with physical distancing and mandated face coverings.
During his weekly virtual briefing on the university s COVID-19 status Monday, Robbins noted that the state of Arizona no longer leads the nation in virus cases. The state is now No. 10, with a rolling seven-day average of 43 new reported cases per 1,000 people. South Carolina is No. 1 with 66 daily new cases per 100,000. The national average is 36 cases per 100,000.