GLENDALE, AZ – Dr. Cara Christ, the director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, spoke to ABC15 Mornings on Tuesday about the state’s response to the coronavirus and vaccinations.
“We’ve worked to make sure everyone knows how to prevent transmission and to make sure there is room for Arizonans to treat,” said Dr. Christ in response to whether she believes Arizona has done enough during the pandemic.
Watch the full interview in the video player above.
“We know that every case is a person,” said Dr. Christ. “We mourn every death … the best we can do is take those preventative measures.”
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When asked if she would propose to Governor Doug Ducey a stay-at-home order to help prevent the spread, Dr. Christ said that other states that have implemented stay-at-home measures are experiencing the spread of coronavirus, such as Arizona, which has had that kind of policy since. implemented in the spring of 2020.
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Dr. Christ also said she is a “big advocate” for having students in classrooms, but stressed the importance of everyone being safe, including teachers.
“I, as a mother, want my children to go to school,” said Dr. Christ.
Dr. Christ said she does not personally know anyone who has died from complications from the coronavirus and that her family has been taking precautions since the start of the pandemic.
The state has secured an additional 40,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines, allowing health officials to open the State Farm Stadium’s vaccination site, said Dr. Christ. As of Tuesday, the site is officially open to those eligible for a vaccine and they are at full capacity.
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ADHS says the State Farm Stadium was able to administer between 200 and 300 vaccines per hour as of 12:01 a.m. Tuesday. To date, more than 165,000 people have received the vaccine, including more than 12,000 people who have received both doses to complete the series.