Dr. Christ urges Arizonans to stay home for holidays amid virus surge

Dec 18, 2020, 4:35 AM | Updated: 9:15 am

(Pexels Photo)

KTAR.com

PHOENIX – The state’s stop health official said Arizonans are safer avoiding gatherings and staying home this holiday season as coronavirus infections continue to rise in the state.

Arizona Department of Health Services Director Dr. Cara Christ told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Thursday that she knows people are fatigued with the pandemic and acknowledged how hard it is to be away from family on Christmas.

“We see the light at the end of the tunnel, we just have to make it a little bit longer,” Christ said.

She added she will be spending the holidays only with her immediate household due to the pandemic, while urging Arizonans do the same.

“We have actually told my brother who lives out of state not to come because of the dangers of COVID,” said Christ.

Health officials have warned that infections are on the rise because people are letting their guard down with indoor gatherings.

“Too often, people who follow mitigation requirements at businesses and elsewhere are letting down their guard when they are around people they know and trust, such as wearing masks and maintaining physical distance,” Christ said.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey also called for Arizonans not to gather and connect virtually instead. He added that if there are gatherings, they should limited in size and outside when possible.

“We want to make sure people are connecting with their families during the holiday season and the most important thing is we do it in a safe way,” Ducey said.

Christ projects that the state will continue to see a rise in cases into January because of holiday gatherings, similar to what the state saw after Thanksgiving.