With COVID-19 having made its way to Northern Arizona, local first responders are taking necessary steps to ensure the safety of their own employees while still providing service to the community.

As of Monday, March 23, Yavapai County Community Health Services reported three positive cases in the county — two in Sedona and a third in Prescott. Coconino County had 17 confirmed cases. In all, 101 tests had been provided in Yavapai County with 84 negative and 14 pending.

Information on the two Sedona cases is limited but the county did confirm both Sedona residents who have the virus are senior citizens. The first case was a man in his 70s. He came into contact with someone who later tested positive. He did not show symptoms and was not hospitalized but is self quarantining, the county said. 

As for the second positive case, that individual has mild symptoms and is recovering at home, the county reported.

As of press time, providers doing testing in the Verde Valley include Spectrum Healthcare in Prescott and Cottonwood, Verde Valley Medical Center and Community Health Center of Yavapai in Cottonwood. Contact each for times and requirements to be tested. 

Those who wish to get tested should have a referral from a doctor. The clinics will screen people first to determine if their symptoms may be the flu, strep throat or something else. 

“There is still a severe shortage of swabs,” Yavapai County Community Health Services Director Leslie Horton said in a press release. “The more providers who can do testing the better off the communities will be. We do not have enough providers doing testing. We are hindered here that not a lot of providers are doing testing.” 

Since the initial infor­mation on COVID-19 was reported, Sedona Fire District’s Assistant Chief Jayson Coil said the depart­ment has been adapting its response guidelines to ensure they take actions to protect the public and their responders. 

“In the last few days we have been made aware of confirmed cases in Sedona,” Coil said. “This informa­tion only confirmed the 
 necessity of actions we already have undertaken. We will continue to monitor the situation closely, and anticipate more cases. 

“We ask that the public adheres to recommended practices that include social distancing. We understand the vital role SFD plays in providing for the care and transport of those requiring medical treatment. Based on the measures already in place, this new information in no way jeopardizes our ability to continue to fulfill this function at the highest level.” 

SFD has changed the dispatch screening process when calls come in via 911. From the beginning of the call, the dispatcher will try and determine if the caller may be positive for COVID- 19 — if they have a fever, shortness of breath, cough and if they have traveled from somewhere with higher incidents. If so, SFD crews will make sure they adapt their response accordingly. 

“When that criteria points us toward [COVID-19], we’ll only send two people and they will go in with gowns, gloves, respirators and eye protection,” Coil said. “Depending on how the patient presents and if they can manage their own airway, we will put a mask on them and transport. Other than that we will follow our normal response protocol. 

“When you look at vulnerable populations, that’s the community we serve. The average age in Sedona is 58. The average age in the Village of Oak Creek is 64 and the average age for the rest of the state is 30.” 

If crews respond to a call of suspected coronavirus, Coil said those responders will self monitor for 14 days but will not have to be quarantined unless they show symptoms. 

While many city of Sedona departments are closed or working with a skeleton crew — with many employees working from home — the Sedona Police Department is still serving the community. But, precau­tions are being taken. 

“The Sedona Police Department has suspended some non-essential func­tions and implemented modified scheduling for our command and profes­sional support staff,” SPD Chief Charles Husted said. “Our dedicated team will continue to provide outstanding police service throughout the coronavirus outbreak.” 

With regards to non-emer­gency calls, he said their communication specialists will ask additional ques­tions to help determine what reports and incidents can be handled by officers over the phone. Additionally, callers will be asked to meet offi­cers outside in the open air whenever possible. 

“These measures are intended to help keep our community and staff healthy by increasing opportuni­ties for social distancing,” Husted said. 
In addition to following the Center for Disease Control guidelines for protecting themselves and others against the spread of the coronavirus, Husted said they’re asking community members to also demon­strate neighborly kindness, patience and respect for others. 

“As we work through this difficult time, it is also important that everyone abide by any and all emer­gency proclamation restric­tions,” Husted said. “As a united community we will get through this together, and things will get better.”