Grand Canyon Weekly Wrap-up — January 10-14, 2022

COVID News

Limit in-person gatherings

As COVID-19 transmission increases, Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) and park management advise evaluating the need for large gatherings and postponing in-person meetings, gatherings, and events, when possible, until community transmission declines. We are also recommending that people refrain from having personal gatherings as they are places that COVID can spread. For more information on COVID-19 precautions as cases rise, please visit the county’s website.

Masking updates

Masks are a vitally important tool and required in all government buildings and vehicles. However, all masks are not the same and some are much better than others. Health officials warn against wearing a single reusable cloth mask to protect against the omicron variant, as tiny droplets can still make it through large pores of fabric.

Experts recommend wearing a tight-fitting mask with efficient filtration like an N95, KN95, or KF94 mask, which can filter out at least 95% of airborne particles, according to the CDC.

The difference between the three masks comes down to which country or organization certified the mask—the U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health certifies N95 masks, while KN95 masks are manufactured in China and meet Chinese standards and KF94 masks meet Korean standard requirements. N95, KN95 and KF94 masks can be reused, as long as they don’t have bodily fluids on them, broken straps or a broken nose piece.

To clean these types of masks, place the mask into a paper bag at room temperature for at least three to four days, or heat the mask at 158 degrees Fahrenheit for one hour—both of which are effective at allowing virus particles to die off—according to a study published in the Journal of Emergency Medicine.

CDC provides advice about masks for people who want to learn more about what type of mask is right for them depending on their circumstances.

Havasu Canyon remains closed to visitation through June 2022

With the increases in transmission seen nationwide, the Havasupai Chairman Tommy Siyuja and the Tribal Council made the decision to continue the closure of Havasu Canyon to visitors.

People with bookings dated after May 31, 2022 are not impacted by the suspension of tourism for now, according to a statement from the tribe. No new reservations will be available for purchase while tourism is suspended, and the Havasupai Tribe look forward to welcoming tourists back when it is safe to do so.

Recap of vaccine events last week

Last week, Coconino County Health and Human Services held two vaccine events at the Grand Canyon Rec Center and in Tusayan. At the Rec Center event, the team administered 54 doses and at the Tusayan event the team administered 89 doses. These doses included adult and children’s Pfizer and Moderna vaccines as well as booster doses.

On Saturday, the clinic administered 56 boosters and one second dose. One challenge noted by the clinic is that a few people who signed up for the clinic booster day ended up getting vaccinated from the county instead.  Please let the clinic know if you are canceling your appointment so they can plan accordingly and give the slot to another patient.

Many thanks to the Coconino County Health and Human Services and the Clinic for sponsoring these events and to the Albright Training Center, the Grand Canyon Rec Center, and the Tusayan Fire Department in helping host these staff.

A future vaccine event through the County is currently being planned next for February. The next booster/vaccine session at the clinic is scheduled for January 20. Please call the clinic directly to schedule.

COVID Testing at the Grand Canyon Clinic and Flagstaff

The clinic continues to offer COVID-19 testing Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, by appointment only. On Mondays and Fridays, testing occurs at 2 p.m. and on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. The number of slots is limited each day based on clinic staffing and patient load, so please call ahead at (928) 638-2551 to schedule your appointment.

Also, particularly in cases of exposure without symptoms, the optimal time for testing is 5-7 days from exposure. Tests done prior to that time window should not be considered particularly reliable unless symptoms are present. Testing is a limited resource, and wise use ensures it’s there when it’s needed most.

Patients awaiting testing should review the latest CDC guidelines for recommendations on when to test after exposure and/or the onset of symptoms to ensure maximum validity of the test results.

If you are in Flagstaff or other areas across Coconino County, there are multiple sites in town where you can get a COVID test. For most of the testing sites, results are available within 48 hours and can be used for proof of a negative test for travel purposes.

Arizona and Grand Canyon Community Statistics

Case numbers in Arizona increased this week to 13,395 new cases per day compared to last week’s average of 5,986 per day.

As of Tuesday, there have been a total of 304 cases in the 86023 zip code since the beginning of the pandemic. Of these, approximately 113 cases are in the park. Since December 26, the Grand Canyon community inside the park has seen a 31% increase in COVID-19 cases.

Coconino County reports the Grand Canyon community is 71.7% fully vaccinated as of January 7.

Public Health Contacts

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

Shuttle Bus Update

Shuttle bus service continues to be modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the recent rise in COVID cases, Paul Revere will be reducing shuttle capacity to 31 passengers and using the rear door only for boarding.

Staff are testing positive for COVID or experiencing COVID-like symptoms. Currently, Paul Revere is doing all they can to keep both routes operating; however, they are now operating fewer buses on each route, so visitors will experience longer wait times between buses. At this time, we anticipate it will remain this way through at least the upcoming holiday weekend.

Fee Free Days for 2022

On five days in 2022, all National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (including Grand Canyon)!

Additional information can be found here: 2022 Free Entrance Days.

Winter pile burning continues along Highway 64

On Tuesday and Wednesday this week, South Rim fire managers were successful in treating 10 acres of woody debris piles near the South Entrance station. This pile burning will continue over the next several months, as conditions allow, and will take place between the South Entrance Station and Desert View Drive Junction (mile markers 238-240).

Prescribed fire plays a vital role in decreasing wildfire risks to life, resources and property by reducing available hazardous fuels. Fire staff carefully plan prescribed fires, initiating them only under environmental conditions that are favorable to assuring firefighter and visitor safety and to achieving desired objectives.

Former Astronomer in Residence shares his experience at Grand Canyon

Join Former Astronomer in Residence, Dean Regas, as he highlights his experiences at Grand Canyon on Cincinnati Public Radio. This segment also features Interpretive Ranger, Rader Lane, who discusses how the Astronomer in Residence Program came to be and other great stories about the night skies in our National Parks.

To find more information about the Astronomer in Residence Program, visit the Grand Canyon Conservancy’s website.

South Rim District Report available

See what South Rim Patrol was up to over the holiday week by reading the latest South Rim District Report below.

New Hours for Tusayan Ice Rink

New hours for the Tusayan Ice Rink are now posted as well as a phone number for group reservations.

For more information on these updates, please see this flyer.

Please note: new operational changes are posted below in red.

South Rim

Lodging occupancy in the park is expected to be at or near capacity. Our concessioners are expecting a busy season ahead!

Xanterra

Delaware North

Other

Desert View

The following park closures remain in place:

Please visit the Grand Canyon National Park website for a complete list of closures and available amenities.

Photo Credits (in order of appearance)