Fwd: Coronavirus Watch: How to get tested in Arizona, your questions answered

— Steve Smith

Begin forwarded message:

From: "AZCentral.com" <noreply@reply.azcentral.com>
Date: March 18, 2020 at 1:11:30 PM MST
To: spsone1@gmail.com
Subject: Coronavirus Watch: How to get tested in Arizona, your questions answered
Reply-To: "The Arizona Republic" <reply-67471808-7506189_HTML-1811635720-10733528-756@reply.azcentral.com>



Your Covid-19 update from The Arizona Republic. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌

Coronavirus Watch LOCAL UPDATES TO STAY HEALTHY AND SAFE   Wednesday, March 18 It's Wednesday afternoon, and this is Coronavirus Watch from The Arizona Republic, where we update you on the latest we know about how COVID-19 is impacting you and your community.  One of the most common questions we're getting from readers right now is about how to get tested.  Testing, which has been limited so far, is ramping up as more commercial labs enter the market. The state on Monday announced that test collection sites for any Arizonans with COVID-19 will be opening in Arizona soon and more details are expected this week. So far, most testing is still being restricted to those who have a doctor's order. If you start having symptoms, call your primary care doctor OR the state helpline at 844-542-8201. Your doctor will work with local and state officials to determine if you need to be tested. Don't visit an urgent care or hospital without first calling your family doctor, unless it's an emergency, such as if you are having difficulty breathing. This will help prevent spreading the virus to other patients. Symptoms can include:  • Fever. • Dry cough. • Shortness of breath. • Aches, chills, tiredness. • Congestion, runny nose, sore throat. • Vomiting, diarrhea. The latest news You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribe to The Arizona Republic's Daily Briefing morning email, or you've subscribed to Coronavirus Watch. We're glad you're here. We're in this together. We'll try to send this out at least once a day, or more often if there are significant developments in the community. If you know someone who should get this newsletter, please forward this so they can sign up here.  If you have questions about the new coronavirus that you'd like us to get answered, send them here.  Here's the latest as of noon MST: • There's still take-out! Restaurants and bars are closing to eat-in customers. • Free breakfast and lunch for your kids. Many schools are providing food. • American Red Cross needs blood donations, says donations are safe amid coronavirus concerns. • Some fitness centers are closing. Check yours here. • ASU athletes could get to work out alone or in small groups. • Childcare challenges? Some preschools and daycares are still open. • These metro Phoenix concerts are cancelled or postponed. • Struggling with bills? Utility companies vow not to cut services. •  Social distancing tip of the day: Take a walk. It'scloudy but gorgeous outside! My neighbors got together on Facebook and decided to tape pictures of shamrocks in their windows so families could walk around the block and count them. • Moment of zen: Barrio Cafe Gan Reserva chef Silvana Salcido Esparza invited Facebook followers to post what they were cooking at home and she'd offer guidance. I wonder what she'd suggest to liven up tonight's chili? More questions answered Many of you have reached out to us with your questions. We've answered some of your specific concerns here. What else would you like to know? One reader asked: Does the flu shot help prevent coronavirus? A flu shot can help in an indirect way, according to Dr. Albert Ko of the Yale School of Public Health. As more people have immunity to influenza, fewer will need treatment, causing less confusion about whether an infected person has COVID-19 or flu, and leaving more hospital beds open for coronavirus patients. Children age 6 months to 8 years may need a second flu shot because their immune systems aren't as developed, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For adults, a vaccine is recommended once a year, in October, before the peak of flu, the CDC said. Although the flu season is coming to an end, you can still get a flu shot, said Dr. Gregory Poland, of Mayo Clinic. But call your doctor first. Many medical facilities are limiting non-essential visits. Serving our readers and community We are providing all of our stories about COVID-19 free as a public service to readers during the coronavirus outbreak. We are working tirelessly to keep the communities we love updated while, like you, practicing social distancing - working from home, avoiding crowds, getting the stir-crazy kids ONE MORE snack, and shushing our dogs during video meetings. Please support the work we're doing in your community by subscribing to The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com. --Alia Beard Rau, local politics and issues editor, The Arizona Republic, alia.rau@arizonarepublic.com From our executive editor: What The Arizona Republic is doing to make... From our executive editor: What The Arizona Republic is doing to make sense of coronavirus. The new coronavirus in Arizona What to know about coronavirus testing in Arizona Valley animal shelters see drop in adoptions amid... 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