Yavapai News

Leaders of Verde Valley are assuring residents that they will re-open their areas once they are assured the COVID-19 curve has flattened and a collection of reviewed data reveals the public can move around as safely as possible.  

The following local leaders wrote an open letter to the Prescott eNews explaining their collective vision of the future in their areas: Camp Verde Mayor Charlie German, Clarkdale Mayor Doug VonGausig, Cottonwood Mayor Tim Elinski, Jerome Mayor Alex Barber, Sedona Mayor Sandy Moriarty, President/CEO, Cottonwood Chamber of Commerce Christian Oliva del Rio, President, Jerome Chamber of Commerce Kevin Savage, Chairman, Board of Directors Sedona Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau Lonnie Lillie, Supervisor for District 3, Yavapai County Randy Garrison, and Supervisor for District 2, Yavapai County, Tom Thurman.

On March 19, Yavapai County reported its first coronavirus case, according to local leaders.

Within three weeks, 60 cases were reported and recent data shows 15 additional cases have been reported putting the final number at approximately 75 known cases of the coronavirus in the county, according to local leaders.  

Local leaders said the curve in Verde Valley is flattening.  

"This progression proves that we have slowed the spread of COVID-19 in the Verde Valley," local leaders wrote to the Prescott eNews. "Coconino County has reported significantly greater confirmed cases of COVID-19 but very few in the small portion of the Verde Valley that is in Coconino County."

In conjunction with Gov. Doug Ducey, local leaders say they are working to determine the appropriate time to reopen while also balancing the public health and economic needs in their communities.

"To be clear, there is not a specific date or time-frame for reopening," local leaders wrote to the Prescott eNews. "But that time will come so it is appropriate to start planning now."

Local officials said they are still trying to determine whether they will all reopen together or reopen based on the individual needs of each community.  

Stay-at-home orders will eventually and gradually be lifted and when that happens, local leaders advise their constituents to remain vigilant in following safety guidelines for social distancing, hygiene and disinfection.  

"We will achieve balance between protecting residents from COVID-19 and returning to business prosperity only if each of us do our part," local leaders wrote to the Prescott eNews. "It is critical that the most vulnerable populations continue to avoid public spaces, and that masks, frequent hand washing, strict hygiene practices and physical distancing are commonplace for the foreseeable future."