Grand Canyon National Park
Key Messages – Week of August 23, 2021
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National COVID-19 Updates
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On August 23, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older.
- FDA-approved vaccines undergo the agency’s standard process for reviewing the quality, safety and effectiveness of medical products. Research supporting approval builds on the extensive data and information previously submitted that supported the Emergency Use Authorization, such as preclinical and clinical data and information, as well as details of the manufacturing process, vaccine testing results to ensure vaccine quality, and inspections of the sites where the vaccine is made. FDA approval ensures the vaccine is safe and effective and meets the FDA’s standards for approval.
- The vaccine continues to be available under emergency use authorization for individuals 12 through 15 years of age and for the administration of a third dose in certain immunocompromised individuals.
- The CDC is recommending vaccinated individuals get a booster vaccine dose beginning the week of September 20. CDC is advising a booster dose approximately 8 months after individuals receive their second dose of a 2-dose vaccine. Here is a link for more information on the vaccine booster dose.
Although we strongly recommend all employees get vaccinated, we are not aware of any pending mandates or requirements for federal employees to get vaccinated. We will share any information as soon as we are aware of it. We hope this news of the first FDA approval for a COVID vaccine encourages anyone who was on the fence about getting vaccinated to get vaccinated. It could save your life.
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Case Count Updates
Case numbers in Arizona increased slightly this week to 2,978 new cases per day compared to last week’s average of 2,802.
We have previously provided more details about local transmission in the park and have neglected to include that information recently, primarily because we simply weren’t seeing new cases in the park for multiple months this spring. We will start providing the local information as it is available, as early as next week.
- For this week we know that as of Tuesday, there have been a total of 235 cases in the 86023 zip code since the beginning of the pandemic.
According to the CDC, Coconino County as well as most of the counties nationwide, remain in high community transmission status.
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Local COVID Updates
Grand Canyon School update
- Per the National Park Service and Department of Interior policies: All Grand Canyon Unified School District students and staff, unless under medical order, are required to wear face coverings as of August 23, 2021.
Clinic updates: The Grand Canyon Clinic had 20 COVID tests performed last week with two positive tests, one visitor and one resident.
- Vaccine demand remains low although the clinic is getting inquiries about vaccine follow-up doses. At present the Grand Canyon Clinic can only give additional doses to those who meet the CDC’s limited criteria for being immunocompromised.
- If you believe you qualify under the CDC’s guidance, call the clinic to be added to the regular vaccine schedule for an additional vaccine dose. Your eligibility must be documented at the clinic to receive an additional dose. All others should await further guidance from the CDC regarding a follow-up dose. Any questions, please call the clinic directly.
Reporting exposure to COVID and COVID-like symptoms is critical to limiting transmission
- If you think you may have been exposed to COVID, regardless of your vaccination status, immediately isolate and report your situation to your supervisor and Public Health Consultant Ronan King, and await their instructions.
- Following this protocol and Ronan’s instructions is extremely important so that any community spread can be contained.
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Public Health Contacts
If you test positive for COVID-19, immediately inform your supervisor and our NPS Public Health Consultant. This is to ensure proper public health protocols are followed and that any exposure 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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North County Healthcare COVID-19 Testing & Vaccinations
Saliva testing is available at the Grand Canyon Clinic Monday-Wednesday before 11 a.m. at no cost. Please call to schedule a time and pre-register with the ASU testing portal before coming to the clinic. Those without appointments or without portal accounts may face long waits or may be rescheduled for the following day, depending on clinic workload. Nasal swab testing is available 7 days a week, with results expected within approximately 48 hours for swab samples collected before 2 p.m. Please call ahead for appointments.
Individuals who appear to be having moderate to severe symptoms may be required to have an additional assessment before testing will be completed. More than 90% of our clinic’s recent positive tests have been in unvaccinated individuals.
The clinic continues to offer vaccines every other Thursday, subject to increase or decrease based on demand.
Photo above: Superintendent Ed Keable receiving his COVID-19 vaccine from Janet Bawcom in March 2021 at the Grand Canyon Clinic.
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Messages and Grand Canyon News
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Recent Search and Rescue and Recovery Operations
Park staff have been busy with Search and Rescues (SARs) recently. Unfortunately, many of these events have been recoveries for apparent suicides. Times continue to be full of turmoil and stress—please, take a moment to check in with loved ones and with yourself. Working in remote areas away from close family and friends can add additional challenges during an already stressful time.
We would like to thank all of the search and rescue personnel and additional searchers from many other work groups who helped with two major SARs in Surprise Valley and Hermit Trail. Luckily, in both instances, all visitors were transported safely to the South Rim. Additional thanks go to Arizona Department of Public Safety for their support during multiple SARs over the last few weeks.
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Recent NPS Employee Suicides
Not only have we lost visitors to suicide, but in the past year we have lost several NPS employees as well. Each case brings up feelings of deep sadness and loss.
Every life lost to suicide has a tremendous amount of pain attached, not only for those who are gone but those left behind. There is no getting used to it and the recent losses of employees in Yellowstone and Great Basin are no exceptions.
The importance of mental health cannot be overstated. Please, if you or someone you know is struggling, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline offers free 24-hour confidential, live support. You can reach the lifeline at www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org or 800-273-TALK (8255)
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President Biden has Nominated Charles “Chuck” F. Sams III to be the Next NPS Director
Nominee Chuck Sams currently serves as a Council Member to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, as appointed by Oregon Governor Kate Brown. He is an enrolled member, Cayuse and Walla Walla, of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, where he and his wife, Lori Sams, live with their four children.
His background includes work in both state and tribal governments and the non- profit natural resource and conservation management fields for over 25 years. Sams has served in numerous roles with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) including Deputy Executive Director for the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and Communications Director, Environmental Health and Safety Officer/Planner in the Tribal Planning Office.
With an extensive record of public service focusing on Tribal relations, conservation, and education, and his status as a U.S. Navy veteran, we are excited to see where his leadership takes us. We don’t yet know when the confirmation hearing will take place.
Photo above: Chuck Sams, courtesy of Oregon Gov. Kate Brown
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Grand Canyon Music Festival
The 38th season of the Grand Canyon Music Festival kicks off September 3 with a performance by the Catalyst Quartet.
Concerts will be performed Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30pm in the Shrine Auditorium through September 18th. COVID mitigations, including mask requirements, will be in place. More information can be found at grandcanyonmusicfest.org. Photo above: The Catalyst Quartet, photo courtesy of Grand Canyon Music Festival
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Leadership Spotlight
Park management is working to ensure key leadership positions are filled as quickly as possible so National Park Service (NPS) employees have the support they need to get their jobs done. Over the next several weeks we’ll be spotlighting some of our new leaders here at the park.
Canyon District Ranger, Lisa Hendy
Lisa Hendy was born in Chattanooga, TN and attended Auburn University where she earned a Bachelor’s in Park Management. She began her career in the backcountry office of Yosemite. Commissioned in 1995, Hendy spent 10 years as a seasonal moving back and forth between Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone and Arches National Parks while working on her Masters of Science from Utah State University.
In 2004 she was selected for her first permanent job at Grand Canyon. She spent 7 years at GRCA in the Canyon District. While here, she was awarded an Intermountain Region Exemplary Service Award for Life Saving Efforts at GRCA, and in 2011 was awarded the National Harry Yount Award for Excellence in Rangering. In 2012, Lisa moved to Yosemite as the Emergency Manager over SAR, PSAR, EMS, the Yosemite Medical Clinic, and the Helicopter Rescue Team. She moved to Big Bend as the Chief Ranger in 2016 where she was again recognized by the Intermountain Region with the 2018 Wildland Fire Management Award. In 2019, she transitioned to the Chief position at Great Smoky Mountains where in 2020 she was recognized by the Office of Aviation Services with the Excellence in Mentorship Aviation Award.
Lisa is a paramedic, wildland fire helicopter manager, and structural fire fighter. She has served as a Type 2 Operations Chief on three different Regional Incident Management Teams, most recently for the 2021 Presidential Inauguration. She is thrilled to be coming back to Grand Canyon as she says it is the park that has always held her heart, and she sees many changes afoot. She says she simply wants to be part of the obviously bright future.
Lisa will be moving to Grand Canyon in late September with a start date in early October. Her office location will be in the Ranger Operations building.
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Current Operational Hours
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South Rim
- Maswik Lodge Cafeteria: 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Bright Angel Fountain and Coffee House, 7 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Yavapai Lodge Tavern and Patio, 12-10 p.m.
- Yavapai Lodge Coffee Shop, 6 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Canyon Village Market, 7 a.m.-8 p.m., Deli-7 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Bright Angel Bikes, Rentals: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Cafe: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- Kolb Studio: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
- Grand Canyon Visitor Center information table: 8a.m.-5p.m.
Desert View
- Desert View Trading Post Coffee and Ice Cream and Market, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily
- Desert View Watchtower, staffed by GCC Saturday-Wednesday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Watchtower will be closed to the public on Thursdays and Fridays.
- Desert View Information Table (staffed by NPS), 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. The table is located on the north side of the main parking lot, in front of the building on the left side of the Orientation Plaza.
- Desert View Campground is open. Reservations can be made via www.recreation.gov.
North Rim
- General Store, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. daily
- Roaring Springs Overlook Kiosk, NPS staffed from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily
- North Rim Visitor Center, GCC staffed from 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
- North Rim Lodge dining, 4:30-9:30 p.m. daily
- Deli in the Pines, 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m. daily
- Rough Rider Saloon, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
The following park closures remain in place:
- South Rim Visitor Center (indoors), information table staffed 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. daily
- Headquarters Information Desk
- Yavapai Lodge Restaurant
- Maswik Pizza Pub, Arizona Steak House, and Fred Harvey Burger
- Xanterra bus tours: All in-park tours will tentatively resume on Friday, September 3, as well as the tours Xanterra operates for the Grand Canyon Railway (this includes the Sunrise, Sunset, Hermits Rest and Desert View tours).
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