Arizona
Though COVID cases are on the rise, Arizona schools will stay in session
PHOENIX (AZFamily) —It’s that time of the year, back to school.
Some districts have already started classes, and the largest school district in the state, Mesa Public Schools, begins August 1.
There is currently a surge in COVID cases right now according to the Arizona Department of Health Services but the State Superintendent of Education says schools will continue to operate normally.
Earlier this year, the CDC ended its previously recommended 5-day isolation period for those who test positive for COVID.
Now, they recommend treating COVID the same as the flu or RSV.
This means staying home for 24 hours after your fever breaks.
This change is something State Superintendent of Education Tom Horne supports.
“It was a huge mistake in my opinion to close schools. The academic damage was horrendous. We are still experiencing the consequences of it,” Horne said.
Horne is addressing concerns about a recent surge in COVID cases in Arizona as students are heading back to school to start the academic year.
“I think some students will be handicapped permanently as a result of not being able to go to school during that time. So if anybody talks about closing school I will fight it as hard as I can,” Horne said.
Horne says he feels students are still making up for lost time after schools transitioned to virtual learning when the pandemic reached its peak.
So, he says his goal is to keep kids in the classroom.
But what if they get sick?
“If a student has anything, has a normal cold, we urge them to stay home so they get the proper rest and so they don’t infect other students,” Horne said.
Horne is citing the CDC’s new recommended guidelines that treat COVID like any other respiratory virus and says students should not be at school if they are sick.
“We do not want the patients to return to school or to work until their fever has resolved and they have been without a fever for 24 hours,” said Dr. Wassim Ballan, an Infectious Disease expert at Phoenix Children’s.
Ballan says the recommendations are now in line with those for any respiratory infection.
But says if you have symptoms of a virus it’s still important to get tested.
“That will be helpful for multiple reasons, number one the knowledge of what the disease is and what the expectation should be and that also helps to protect some vulnerable people the patient might be around,” Ballan said.
Though the five-day isolation period is not recommended, the CDC still encourages masking in public for up to ten days after someone is diagnosed with a respiratory illness to help fight the spread.
Ballan says it’s not confirmed yet, but there will likely be an updated COVID vaccine this fall, similar to how we see new flu shots every season.
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Copyright 2024 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Warmer weather is in store for Mother’s Day weekend in the Valley, with temperatures jumping 10 to 15 degrees above average.
We have issued First Alert Weather Days for Saturday and Sunday with high temps expected near 104-105. A heads-up in case you’re planning any Mother’s Day activities, because you may want to take part in outdoor events in the morning or move those activities indoors.
And high temperatures could get even warmer by next week. Right now, models are hinting at temps near 107 Monday and 106 Tuesday. These above-average temperatures are due to a ridge of high pressure building from the west.
For the weekend, a widespread Moderate Heat Risk is expected. What that means is that the weather will affect those who are sensitive to heat, especially those without cooling/hydration, and some health systems and industries.
Right now, there are no Extreme Heat Watches or Warnings in effect from the National Weather Service, but we will keep you posted.
By the end of next week, an incoming weather system could lead to slightly cooler temperatures, but temps should still stay above average.
We’re not tracking any chances for rain in the Valley for the next five to seven days.
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Copyright 2026 KTVK/KPHO. All rights reserved.
Armando Sanchez-Lopez (Courtesy: Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office)
PHOENIX – Sheriff’s officials in Maricopa County say a man has been arrested in connection with a case involving a Utah teen who was reported missing in late April.
What we know:
According to a May 5 statement from MCSO, 30-year-old Armando Sanchez-Lopez was arrested on April 29, after he was seen with the missing teen.
Investigators said the teen left Lehi City, Utah on April 24 in an unknown vehicle.
“Information provided by a family acquaintance indicated the juvenile may have been in Arizona and possibly being held against her will,” read a portion of the statement.
Dig deeper:
MCSO said it was determined that on the night of April 24, the acquaintance had provided transportation for the juvenile to a home in the area of Dysart Road and Maryland Avenue in Litchfield Park.
“The juvenile requested to be dropped off a short distance away and proceeded on foot. When the acquaintance attempted to follow, an unidentified adult male confronted him and reportedly brandished a rifle, prompting the acquaintance to leave the area,” read a portion of MCSO’s statement. “In the days following, the acquaintance received messages from the juvenile indicating she was being held against her will and was in need of assistance.”
On April 29, investigators said they received “updated information that the juvenile had returned to a residence in the area and had subsequently left on foot with an adult male toward another nearby address.” They later contacted the teen and the man, who turned out to be Sanchez-Lopez.
What’s next:
Per MCSO, Sanchez-Lopez has “five prior sexual related accusations involving several victims.” He is accused of sexual assault, sexual conduct with a minor, kidnapping, aggravated assault, custodial interference, and failure to comply with a court order.
Officials say MCSO’s Special Victims detectives are still investigating the case.
The Source: Information for this article was gathered from a statement released by the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
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