Grand Canyon National Park
Key Messages – Week of May 10, 2021
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This week’s numbers at a glance:
- The average number of new cases per day in Arizona in the last week was 726, about the same as 727 per day in the previous week.
- The total number of cases in the 86023 zip code since the pandemic began is 203. This number represents cases both inside and outside the park.
- Since the pandemic began, we’ve had 47 total positive COVID-19 cases in the park. To date, and as reported, none of the positive cases resulted from interaction with park visitors.
- More detailed statistics are available on the Coconino County COVID-19 Dashboard.
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Navajo Nation Information
- Wearing a mask in public is mandatory on Navajo Nation.
- The Nation is currently in a Shelter in Place order, which includes daily curfew hours from 11:00 P.M. MDT to 5:00 A.M. MDT.
- As always, there are no restrictions upon staff or community members relative to travel to and from the park.
- You can read the Navajo Department of Health Public Health Emergency Order 2021-008 here.
- Specific guidance for the Navajo Nation can be found on the Navajo Nation website.
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Public Health Consultant Contact Information
If you test positive or become ill with COVID-19 symptoms, please report your situation to your supervisor and our NPS Public Health Consultant immediately. This is to ensure proper public health protocols are followed and that any exposure to the virus is minimized.
- Ronan King, Lieutenant Commander, U.S. Public Health Service
- Mobile: (202) 891-8599
- Email: ronan_king@nps.gov
- For all email correspondence, please also cc: Chris Glime, Captain, U.S. Public Health Service
- Mobile: (202)641-3518
- Email: christen_glime@nps.gov
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This Week’s COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Earlier this week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age.
- Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. stated that “[This] action allows for a younger population to be protected from COVID-19, bringing us closer to returning to a sense of normalcy and to ending the pandemic. Parents and guardians can rest assured that the agency undertook a rigorous and thorough review of all available data, as we have with all of our COVID-19 vaccine emergency use authorizations.”
- As a reminder, the Pfizer vaccine is available to adolescents at the NAU vaccination site in Flagstaff. Appointments can be made online at www.podvaccine.azdhs.gov or by calling 1-844-542-8201.
Clinic Updates
The clinic will continue administering Moderna vaccines 1-2 days weekly based on demand, which has been slow but steady. Local residents are encouraged to call the clinic for appointments as needed. As a reminder, 2nd doses from the Tusayan event are scheduled for May 26th.
There were no new COVID cases at the clinic this week. Saliva testing remains available Monday through Wednesday; call ahead to schedule. Nasal swab testing is available Monday through Friday. You must have doctor’s order or recently have returned from travel for nasal testing. Turnaround time on nasal swabs is currently 48 hours but is subject to change based on lab capacity.
To schedule a vaccine appointment at the Grand Canyon Clinic, call the clinic directly at 928.638.2551.
As the clinic transitions to summer hours, no weekend testing will be available due to specimen storage and transport requirements.
Vaccination totals at the Clinic as of last week were 2,089 total doses given with 1,019 individuals fully vaccinated.
As of Monday, May 10th:
- More than 329 million vaccine doses have been administered in the US.
- Over 58% of adult Americans have received 1 vaccine dose, and nearly 44% are fully vaccinated.
- Approximately 42% of Arizonans have received 1 vaccine dose, and 34% have been fully vaccinated.
- In Coconino County approximately 46% of the population have received the 1st dose, with 40% fully vaccinated.
The CDC has released a study that investigated models used to predict the potential course of COVID-19 in the United States across four scenarios with different vaccination coverage rates, and different levels of “non-pharmaceutical interventions” such as physical distancing and masking. The model suggests decreases in transmission could occur by August, but also shows that continued adherence to physical distancing, mask-wearing, and hand hygiene is needed–even with vaccination–to keep transmission down.
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What Can I Do If I’ve Been Fully Vaccinated?
- You can gather indoors with fully vaccinated people without wearing a mask or staying 6 feet apart.
- You can gather indoors with unvaccinated people of any age from one other household (for example, visiting with relatives who all live together) without masks or staying 6 feet apart, unless any of those people or anyone they live with has an increased risk for severe illness from COVID-19.
- You can gather or conduct activities outdoors without wearing a mask except in certain crowded settings and venues.
- If you travel in the United States, you do not need to get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel.
- If you’ve been around someone who has COVID-19, you do not need to stay away from others or get tested unless you have symptoms.
- It’s still important to avoid large indoor gatherings.
- Remember to keep wearing a mask whenever you are:
- Gathering indoors with unvaccinated people (including children) from more than one other household
- Visiting indoors with an unvaccinated person who is at an increased risk of severe illness or death from COVID-19 or who lives with a person at increased risk
AS A REMINDER, this guidance does not apply to people living and working in shared quarters and bunkhouses, nor does it apply to our outdoor “Mask Mandate Zones” as defined in the Superintendent’s Compendium. All the current guidance and restrictions put in place by DOI and NPS still apply.
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Northern Arizona University’s Union Fieldhouse in Flagstaff Vaccine Location
The site is open 7 days a week from 7 AM to 5 PM and will have 1,000 appointments available each day. You can learn more from
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COVID-19 Testing Details
- The Grand Canyon Clinic has hours for COVID testing on Wednesdays from 11 a.m.-12 p.m. If you need a test outside of this hour, you need an order from your health care provider indicating a test is warranted.
- In Flagstaff, COVID testing is available at Coconino Community College at 2800 South Lone Tree Road, and the NAU Fieldhouse at 1050 Knoles Drive.
- Testing is also available at other locations in Flagstaff, including:
- Walgreens on 4th Street
- NextCare Urgent Care
- The Veterans Affairs Clinic
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Messages and Grand Canyon News
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Additional Services Reopen on South Rim
Several facilities on the South Rim will be reopening or adding services this week:
- Bright Angel Bicycles is now renting Class 1 pedal-assist eBikes and began taking reservations last week for May 14th and beyond.
- On Saturday, May 15th, the Yavapai Coffee Shop will open an hour earlier at 6 a.m.to better accommodate guests. It will close daily at 1 p.m.
- The Canyon Village Deli will reopen on Monday, May 17th daily from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Desert View Watchtower opened the ground floor this past Friday May 7th and is open from Friday through Monday. The Watchtower is closed Tuesday through Thursday.
- Village interpretive staff will begin providing visitor information outside of the Visitor Center starting May 21st.
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Elk Calving Season
We are quickly approaching elk calving season! Elk calves at Grand Canyon are born between May and June and weigh an average of 35 lbs. Mothers are extremely protective and will charge you even if you don’t see the newborn in the area. If you notice a cow elk is looking at you or walking toward you, give her a very wide berth.
Pregnant elk often leave their herd to find a quiet, safe place to calve. That calving spot could be far away from developed areas… or very near your residence, work place, or trail that you use. This is a reminder that cow elk become more aggressive and may attack a person to protect their offspring. Please learn and follow these reminders; share this information with friends, visitors, and coworkers:
- Keep your distance at all times. Use the “rule of thumb.” (Safe distance is measured by holding up your thumb, closing one eye, and being able to completely cover the animal up.)
- Never get between a cow and calf elk.
- If you find a calf alone, leave it alone – the cow is probably close by.
- If you or an individual is in an unsafe wildlife encounter situation, call Park Dispatch at 928-638-7805.
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History Behind the Arts Series Continues
Below is episode 14: Fetish Carving.
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Bomb Threat Training Completed
This week, the FBI’s Bomb Squad came to the South Rim to teach a 2-day bomb response course for law enforcement rangers from Grand Canyon and surrounding parks. The course was designed to better prepare our law enforcement rangers to respond to potential bomb threats within the park.
The course covered a range of topics including explosive effects, response to an IED, homemade explosives (HME), and radiological threats and responses. Participants also got a hands-on orientation to the equipment used by the Bomb Squad, including operating a robot! The course concluded with a simulated bomb response exercise that involved NPS law enforcement rangers, the FBI, and the Flagstaff Police Department Bomb Squad.
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North Rim Opens for the Season May 15
The gate at the entrance to the North Rim will open on Saturday, May 15th at 6:30 a.m. to mark the official opening of the North Rim for the 2021 season. Grand Canyon Lodge and Grand Canyon Trail Rides will also commence their 2021 seasonal operations on this date.
Services provided by the National Park Service, including the campground and the Grand Canyon Conservancy bookstore, will be available starting May 15th at 9 a.m. The Backcountry Information Office will open at 8 a.m. Grand Canyon Lodge North Rim operations, including lodging, groceries, retail, food and beverage services, and the gas station, will also open May 15th. There will be no shower or laundry service available this year.
Masks will be required indoors, and outdoors in any locations where physical distancing cannot be maintained. The last day of the 2021 season for most commercial services will be October 15th, 2021.
Water is now available at all locations on the Bright Angel and North Kaibab trails except Supai Tunnel.
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Current Operational Updates
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Desert View
- The East entrance gate is open to traffic on Highway 64.
- The Watchtower lower level opened Friday, May 7th. It is open Fridays through Mondays.
- Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream is open.
- Desert View Gas Station is open, offering Pay-at-the-Pump services only.
- Desert View Campground is open. Reservations can be made via www.recreation.gov.
Concessions
- The Fred Harvey Food Truck will be located at the El Tovar / Hopi House area from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Seven days per week, weather permitting.
- Maswik Gift Shop has expanded its hours to 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- Canyon View Market will open at 7a.m., additional Breakfast items will be available at the Yavapai Coffee Shop (open 6 a.m. – 1 p.m.), and Lunch and Dinner will be available at Yavapai Tavern (open 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.).
- Desert View Market operates 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
- Desert View Retail Store operates 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
- Canyon Village Deli opens from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. starting May 17th.
The following park closures remain in place:
- All residential areas
- South Rim Visitor Center and Headquarters
- Kolb Studio is closed until further notice.
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Have questions for our weekly employee or community calls?
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