Navajo Nation reports 15 new COVID-19 cases and 1 more death
April 8, 2021
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WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) The Navajo Nation on Thursday reported 15 more confirmed COVID-19 cases and one additional death.
The latest figures bring the pandemic totals on the tribe’s reservation, which includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, increased to 30,213 with the known death toll at 1,260.
On Tuesday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 B.1.429 variant on the Navajo Nation, which came from a test sample obtained in the Chinle Service Unit area.
The variant was first identified in the state of California and has since been detected across the southwest U.S.
Listen • 5:17
A sign urging safety measures during the pandemic is seen in Teesto, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation on Feb. 11, 2021. (Felicia Fonseca/AP)
Nearly one year ago, the Navajo Nation had the highest per capita COVID-19 infection rates in the country. More than 30,000 enrolled tribe members contracted the virus and 1,200 people died.
Now, however, new caseloads have dropped to only a handful and the nation recorded no new deaths for several days in a row.
Here & Now‘s Peter O’Dowd speaks with Navajo Nation President
Jonathan Nez, who says the success is largely a result of a seismic vaccination effort with 219,663 doses administered.
Navajo Nation reports 15 new COVID-19 cases and one more death
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WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Navajo Nation on Thursday reported 15 more confirmed COVID-19 cases and one additional death.
The latest figures bring the pandemic totals on the tribe’s reservation, which includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah, to 30,213 with the known death toll at 1,260.
On Tuesday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 B.1.429 variant on the Navajo Nation, which came from a test sample obtained in the Chinle Service Unit area.
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By Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press
New Mexico health officials on Wednesday reported more progress in getting residents vaccinated as the state continues to lead the U.S. in the vaccine rollout.
State Health Secretary Dr. Tracie Collins said 50% of residents 16 and older have received their first shot and 31% are fully vaccinated. The latest figures come as other states look to expand distribution beyond health care workers and other priority groups to meet an April 19 deadline from the Biden administration.
While New Mexico opened up eligibility Monday, Collins said priority will still be given to those who are 75 and older and other senior citizens who have chronic conditions that put them at greater risk.