City of Scottsdale, AZ

09/17/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 09/17/2021 12:18

Scottsdale Update - Sept. 17, 2021

COVID-19 UPDATE

COVID-19 by the numbers. Maricopa County has been tracking COVID-19 cases since Jan. 22, 2020. Review the latest numbers here.

Scottsdale remains at high community transmission. The city's COVID-19 case rate has decreased slightly to 172.8 cases per 100,000 residents, Scottsdale remains in high community transmission (greater than 100 cases per 100,000) for the ninth straight week. For context, 172.8 cases per 100,000 means there were between 415 and 450 new cases over a seven-day period (Aug. 29).

Meanwhile, vaccination rates continue to rise slightly - 73.2 percent of eligible Scottsdale residents have now received at least one vaccine dose (up from 72.9 percent) and 67.2 percent of Scottsdale residents are fully vaccinated (up from 66.8 percent). Your best defense against the virus is to get vaccinated. Find a vaccine.

Scottsdale is hosting a free walk-in vaccination pop-up event. Those eligible who have not yet received their COVID-19 vaccine or need their second dose can attend this event from 2:30-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, at Eldorado Park Community Center, 2311 N. Miller Road. We are partnering with the Maricopa County Department of Public Health who will be administering the Pfizer vaccine - which is approved for ages 12 and older - and a limited number of the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. We will host a follow-up event Thursday, Oct. 14, for those needing the second dose. This site is conveniently located next to the Hartley & Ruth Barker Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Scottsdale, and next to Coronado High School. Ages 12-17 can be vaccinated with a signed parental consent form or parental accompaniment. Call 480-312-3111 for more information.

Scottsdale Arts implements new policies in response to increased COVID-19 Delta variant threat. Beginning Friday, Oct. 1, the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts will require all patrons to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of attending an event or performance. An exception will be granted if a patron provides proof of full vaccination. The center recommends patrons wear face masks to further help prevent the spread of the disease.

Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art will continue to use its timed-entry system, which guarantees capacity control and encourages appropriate distancing. Again, face masks are recommended. Learn more.

A sobering statistic: Johns Hopkins data shows one in 500 Americans have died from COVID-19. The United States has reached another grim milestone in its fight against the coronavirus: one in 500 Americans have died from it since the first reported infection. As of Sept. 14, 663,913 people nationwide have died of COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The US Census Bureau estimates the population is 331.4 million as of April 2020.

CDC Study: COVID-19 vaccines remain highly effective, especially against hospitalization and death. A key takeaway from this report in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report is COVID-19 vaccination has continued to provide robust protection against hospitalization and death even after the highly contagious Delta variant became the dominant variant in late June. If you aren't fully vaccinated and get COVID-19, your risk of being hospitalized or dying is more than 10 times higher than that of someone who is fully vaccinated. Learn more. Find a vaccine.

The city's COVID-19 page contains information about the city's emergency orders, facilities and operations. Learn more here.

Visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov to access city services online.

IN OTHER NEWS

ADOT warns of weekend freeway closure that affects Scottsdale. Westbound Loop 101 Pima Freeway will be closed between Pima Road and Tatum Boulevard from 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 17, to 5 a.m. Monday, Sept. 20. The following interchange and ramps also will be closed: Northbound on ramps at Raintree Drive and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard; and westbound on ramps at Pima, Hayden and Scottsdale roads; and 64th and 56th streets. The Arizona Department of Transportation is widening and improving Loop 101 from Interstate 17 in Phoenix to Pima Road in Scottsdale. Real-time highway conditions are available on ADOT's Arizona Traveler Information site at az511.gov, by calling 511 and through ADOT's Twitter feed, @ArizonaDOT.

Free entry Saturday for the Smithsonian Institution's Museum Day. Museum Day is a one-day event where participating museums and cultural institutions across the country provide free entry to anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket. Participants are allowed to download one ticket per email address. The ticket provides free general admission Saturday, Sept. 18, for two people. Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Arts is already sold out, but there are other opportunities Valleywide, including Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West. Please check individual museum websites for COVID-19 protocols.

Mayor David D. Ortega proclaims Sept. 16-18 as Sphinx Date Company Days. Fun fact: The city and Sphinx Date Company were both founded in 1951 and are celebrating their 70th anniversaries. Sphinx Date is a small family-owned business that offers locally-sourced dates and edible gifts. The mother-daughter duo who run the company says it is 'filled with pride to share this 70th anniversary with the incredible city they call home.' Read the proclamation and watch this video.

Vista del Camino's Healthy Packs program resumes. This program provides meals to Scottsdale school students who have limited access to food on weekends when free school meals are not available. On Fridays, teachers place bags of nutritious food and snacks in the eligible children's backpacks. When Healthy Packs resumed in January for the second half of the last school year, the program provided more than 5,750 food packs to more than 280 families, an estimated value of over $37,000. This program is made possible through an ongoing partnership among Vista del Camino Food Bank, Scottsdale Community Partners and the Scottsdale Unified School District. Find out how your family can receive this service.

Nine Scottsdale Mayor's Youth Council members attend the Arizona League of Cities event. Earlier this month, students from across Arizona engaged with city leaders and attended workshops on a variety of topics including public speaking, networking and mental health awareness. Members reported how valuable the experience was and what a great honor it was to represent the city of Scottsdale during its poster board networking presentation.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park's Merci Car to be relocated. Construction began this week to move the historic Merci Car. Also known as the French Gratitude Train, it was one of 49 cars gifted to the United States from France in 1949 for its help during and after World War II. Relocating the train will place it closer to the Scottsdale Railroad Museum, where other historical artifacts are on display. The project is expected to be completed by the beginning of October.

Scrumptiously support Arizona Restaurant Week, Sept. 17-26. Arizona Restaurant Week showcases local chefs and their culinary achievements with special menus and dining experiences at participating restaurants. Each eatery is featuring a three-course, prix-fixe menu ranging costing $33, $44 and $55 per person.

Learn about traffic restrictions in and around Scottsdale. Get the list.