YPG acts to keep COVID at bay
Effective in early August, people on post at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground resumed wearing masks indoors in most circumstances.
The move was a result of updated guidance applicable across the Department of Defense intended to arrest the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19.
“It’s all about keeping the YPG workforce safe and free of this virus,” said Larry Bracamonte, YPG Technical Director.
In Yuma County, the daily number of confirmed new cases, which had fallen into the single digits for months, had risen to a seven-day average of 34 per day as of August 8. The percent positivity rate of COVID-19 tests had climbed to 4%, up substantially from less than 1% in recent months, but still far lower than the 30% recorded locally during the most dire days of 2020. Today, a reported 63% of Yuma County residents 18 and older are fully vaccinated against the virus.
The Delta variant of COVID is reportedly significantly more transmissible than earlier variants, and more likely to result in hospitalization and poor outcomes for those who are unvaccinated. COVID vaccines are now widely available at pharmacies across Yuma County, as well as at the Yuma County Health District on a walk-in basis Monday through Thursday mornings throughout the month of August. Vaccines are also available on post, even to those who initially opted out of receiving one.
“We have doses available for
Tricare beneficiaries, Department of the Army Civilians, and certain eligible contractors,” said Maj. Joshua Chase of the YPG Health Clinic. “If you were previously offered one and declined and changed your mind, you are still eligible. We want to make sure we put these to the best use possible and get them in arms.”
“We have vaccines to give, if you’re interested,” said Col. Patrick McFall,