U.S. Sen.-elect Mark Kelly writes that the lack of a national strategy is hurting our coronavirus response and recovery. "Dr. Joe Gerald, a member of my transition team and a researcher at the University of Arizona who has been analyzing COVID-19 data, described how cases are rising quickly and that our health-care system could soon be struggling to keep up, just like it did last summer," Kelly writes.

A team of university researchers says a statewide shelter-in-place order could help avert a "catastrophe" in Arizona hospitals. "It has now reached a point to where we are truly in a crisis here in Arizona. The sooner we intervene the better off we will be. Every day of delay will result in needless hospital admissions and ultimately, what we also care about — deaths," Joe Gerald, UA public health researcher and COVID-19 modeling team leader.

University of Arizona Heath Sciences researchers developed one of the most accurate COVID-19 antibody tests available and now have shown antibodies persist for months after infection, providing long-term immunity.

A Glendale ICU nurse is making a garden to honor his patients who died of COVID-19. "We're not going to have as much healthcare capacity to take care of people. Then you add the flu on top of that, and the fact that the whole country is a hotspot, so the numbers will keep on going up," said Dr. Shad Marvasti, director of public health, prevention and health promotion with the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix.

Dr. Christian Bime, an assistant professor in the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson's Department of Medicine, is interviewed about his research into the long-term effects of COVID-19.

Frank Porreca, a professor of pharmacology and anesthesiology at the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson, talks about green-light exposure therapy as a low-cost, non-invasive treatment option for individuals with migraines.

As European countries go into lockdown again amid a cold, dark winter, people will be spending even more time indoors. Small changes in your home can make you mentally healthier. People always reference nature when asked what their favorite visual scene is, according to Esther Sternberg, research director at the University of Arizona Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine in Tucson, Arizona.

A Scottsdale man who was part of a COVID-19 vaccine trial describes what it was like and why people should get the vaccine. "These efficacy rates are great. They're phenomenal, actually. They're probably the best they could be," said Dr. Shad Marvasti, director of public health, prevention and health promotion with the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Phoenix.

Public health experts contacted by USA TODAY say high-profile state sports teams are not helping by evading local health orders to play sports. “They’re moving to a place that also has increasing cases and risks of exposure,” said Leila Barraza, associate professor at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona. “You’re going to interact with more people when you’re traveling. You’re safer at home.”

Hospitals and intensive care units in Arizona saw the highest total amount of their beds use on Sunday since the spike of COVID-19 cases in July and are facing sweeping staff shortages due to the pandemic. Joe Gerald, a public health expert from the University of Arizona, said this is happening across the country. While it is a priority to give care to a person who needs care, nurses and doctors are still needed to provide that necessary care.