Doctors believe summer COVID surge unlikely
TUCSON (KVOA) – Just about a year ago, Arizona saw a huge spike in COVID-19 cases at the start of the summer. So, what will this summer look like? News 4 Tucson’s Eric Fink talked with doctors and local health leaders to get their take. A much different COVID outlook as we head into the […]
El Rio Health honored with Ohtli Award by Mexican government
TUCSON (KVOA) – El Rio Health has been honored with the highest recognition awarded by the Mexican government to those who work to assist Mexican communities. It marks the first time that the organization, not a person, will be given the Ohtli Award in Tucson. El Rio is being honored for its ongoing work to […]
Watch Now: Vaccine clinic at Casa Maria Soup Kitchen in Tucson
Medical professionals from El Rio Health Center set up a vaccine clinic at the Casa Maria Soup Kitchen on May 4, 2021 to try and reach vulnerable populations. They administered the Johnson and Johnson vaccine to several individuals. Video by: Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star 2021 Watch the video at tucson.com
Pandemic baby boom a bust as hospitals see birth rate decline
TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) – The expected pandemic baby boom is looking more like a bust. There was speculation we’d see a rise in babies born with more couples at home during COVID-19. It looks like the opposite has happened as national and state data shows a decline in birth rates. Director of Midwifery […]
‘Street medicine’ teams tasked with overcoming falsehoods, dispensing shots in Tucson
A couple mornings each week, Marketa Jansky wanders outside the Casa Maria Soup Kitchen asking the same question of anyone milling around: Would you like to get the vaccine today? As a nurse practitioner with one of El Rio Health‘s homeless outreach teams, Jansky and her colleagues are focused on bringing the COVID-19 vaccine to […]
J&J vaccine pause won’t cause shortage, but more went to vulnerable places in Tucson area
After federal officials called for a nationwide pause in the use of the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine on April 13, a few vaccination efforts were disrupted in Pima County, but it hasn’t caused a widespread vaccine shortage. “(The pause) does more to perhaps threaten equitable distribution, more so than the bigger picture of getting […]
Experts: Lifting of COVID-19 mitigation measures, virus variants may be cause of slight case spike in Arizona
TUCSON (KVOA) – The number of COVID-19 cases is slightly on the rise in Arizona. A doctor who is part of the COVID-19 response team at El Rio Health says the loosening of restrictions statewide may help explain why cases are going up. “The slow, thankfully, but definitely steady increase over the last couple of […]
Vaccine hesitancy increasing after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has been put on pause
TUCSON (KVOA) – As the vaccine becomes more available, many appointments are not being filled due to people not wanting a vaccine. Even after the Johnson & Johnson vaccine was put on pause, the United States still has two available vaccines and plenty of appointments. “We are finally starting to catch up,” Dr. Lisa Soltani of […]
Tucson’s homeless at forefront of new COVID-19 vaccine effort
TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — Pop-up sites are opening around Tucson with one purpose: vaccinating the homeless against COVID-19. “A big part of Pima County’s focus with vaccine distribution is on equitable distribution. We want to get vaccines to those populations who traditionally have been left out of a lot of those health services,” said Pima […]
Addiction experts see stimulus money fueling substance use disorders
TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) – Stimulus checks sent to millions of Americans are supposed to help provide a life line during difficult times in the middle of a pandemic. Some addiction experts say the money may be fueling substance use disorders for some. “They’ve received $1,400 and now they can go buy their drug […]