Arizona Bioscience News: COVID-19 in Arizona; UArizona in top 20 for research spending; Banner Health expansion projects

February 11, 2021

By Matt Ellsworth

New coronavirus variants known to be more contagious have been identified in Arizona at a time when vaccine distribution is increasing with a new state-run site planned at the University of Arizona and Maricopa County lowering its age limit to receive a jab. Health experts warn of a potential new surge and the need for continued precautions. One out of every 500 Arizonans has now died from COVID-19. 


A race between vaccinations and more contagious coronavirus variants has begun in Arizona / Arizona Daily Star


Biden holds up Arizona’s mass vaccination sites as a model for nation / Cronkite News


State to open COVID-19 vaccination site at the University of Arizona / Arizona Daily Star


Maricopa County drops age limit for COVID-19 vaccine to 65 / KTAR


Arizona’s three public universities team up to detect COVID-19 mutations / KTAR


University of Arizona helps track COVID-19 variants / KOLD


NAU researchers test COVID-19 treatments, including for new British variant / Arizona Daily Sun


UK variant In Arizona calls for more precautions, vaccinations / KJZZ


Arizona doctors warn another COVID-19 surge could be coming / azfamily.com


Arizona COVID-19 vaccine dashboard shows racial disparities, but more data is needed / Arizona Republic


UArizona Health Science to test effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine, immunity on college students / KVOA


1 in every 500 Arizonans has now died from COVID-19 / KJZZ


Are COVID-19 vaccines safe and effective? / AZ Big Media (Op-ed)


UArizona among top 20 in public university research spending / KTAR
The University of Arizona spent more than $734 million in total research activity in fiscal year 2019, placing the school No. 19 among all public research institutions in the nation, according to data released by the National Science Foundation.


New partnership forms pipeline of startups between UA agencies / Arizona Daily Star

Three startup companies, including a bioscience firm, have joined the fast-growing University of Arizona Center for Innovation, in what is hoped will become a new pipeline of startups to the business incubator from the university’s new entrepreneurial hub, Arizona Forge.


ASU ranks 6th in research among US universities without a medical school / State Press

Arizona State University has ranked sixth in the nation for research expenditures among universities without a medical school with $639.6 million in the 2019 fiscal year, according to recent National Science Foundation rankings.


Banner Health launches nearly $400 million East Valley expansion / AZ Big Media

Banner Health is investing nearly $400 million in expansion projects at Banner Desert and Banner Gateway medical centers in Mesa and Gilbert including new towers and an expansion of the tertiary care trauma center.


Texas firm makes Arizona debut with plans to build hospital, employ 100 / Phoenix Business Journal

ClearSky Health is making its debut in Arizona with a $25 million investment to build an inpatient rehabilitation hospital in Avondale that will create about 100 health care jobs.


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