For Arizonans who test positive for COVID-19, it may not be possible to find out which variant is responsible.
Former state health director Will Humble says the state Health Department has told County Health Departments not to disclose to patients, or their doctors, which COVID-19 variant they were infected with.
"It’s not going to change your treatment plan. Your doctors aren’t going to do anything differently, but I think most people would expect that if they’re going to get tested, and if it’s positive, and if it is later sequenced, that they have a right to know," Humble said.
Humble says he expects cases to increase in low vaccinated parts of Arizona, including Mohave County.
As of Sunday, nearly 50% of Arizona’s population has received at least one vaccine shot.