ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) ~ The number of coronavirus-related deaths on the Navajo Nation has grown to 13, according to authorities.
The Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area Indian Health Service announced one new death Sunday and 51 new confirmed cases.
Of the 321 confirmed positive cases, most are in Arizona including 137 in Navajo County.
Statistics show 30 COVID-19 cases in New Mexico’s San Juan County, 17 in McKinley County, seven in Cibola County and two in Socorro County.
The tribe’s vast reservation also stretches into Utah and seven coronavirus cases are reported in one county there.
Data compiled by the Albuquerque Journal shows that as of Saturday night, the per capita rate of reported cases on Navajo land is more than seven times higher than in New Mexico.
New Mexico had reported results for 16,828 tests, with 543 to date coming back positive.
The Navajo Nation’s results are based on testing of 2,117 people, the Journal said.
New Mexico has a population about 13 times that of the Navajo Nation.
According to the last census, 156,823 people lived on the Navajo Nation in 2010 as the majority of Navajo people have moved away to cities or border towns. New Mexico’s population in 2010 was just over 2 million.
The Navajo Police Department began issuing citations and fines to individuals who violated daily curfew hours or the stay-at-home order.
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez is urging the public to wear face masks and other personal protective equipment to help prevent the spread of the virus.
In New Mexico, the Department of Health said there were 543 confirmed cases of coronavirus statewide with 11 known deaths as of Saturday.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
