March and April coronavirus updates from San Juan County, Four Corners region

The Daily Times staff

FARMINGTON — COVID-19 is an infectious coronavirus that was first documented in New Mexico on March 11. San Juan Regional Medical Center announced the first San Juan County case on March 21.

Officials say the best way to prevent the spread of the illness is to wash your hands frequently, cover your coughs and limit your exposure to other people by practicing social distancing.

People who have questions about the virus can call the state coronavirus hotline at 1-855-600-3453. People who have non-health related COVID-19 questions can call 1-833-551-0518.

People who want to report non-compliance can report them to NMSP.COVID19@state.nm.us or contact the non-emergency COVID-19 hotline at 833-551-0518 and choose option 2. The San Juan County Communications Authority has asked people not to call its number. Instead, it is asking people to use the hotline number or email address because dispatch has a limited number of people.

The Navajo Department of Health has a website about COVID-19 at www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. The Navajo Health Command Operations Center can be reached at 928-871-7014.

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Coronavirus cases by county

Updates for Thursday, April 30

8:39 p.m.: The number of positive cases for COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation reached more than 2,000 today.

The total number of cases is 2,141 and includes 164 new cases, according to the Navajo Health Command Operations Center.

There are 1,004 men and 1,137 women who have tested positive for the disease.

Today also saw nine additional fatalities related to COVID-19, bringing the death toll to 71.

Data provided by Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center reflects confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation and in the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo, Ramah and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 213
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 539
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 17
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 21
  • Sandoval County, New Mexico: 19
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 502
  • Apache County, Arizona: 515
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 283
  • San Juan County, Utah: 32

There have been 12,023 tests for COVID-19 administered and 8,639 that have returned negative results.

The health department has implemented weekend curfews for May 1 to May 4 and for May 8 to May 11.

"There's a big spike in positive cases today, but the upside is that there is a lot more testing being conducted and that's why we're seeing high numbers," Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a press release from his office.

He added that the area of concentration for the novel coronavirus has shifted from the western portion of the reservation to the eastern and northern regions, including Farmington and Gallup.

The release states that Gallup Mayor Jackie McKinney sent a letter to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham today, requesting her to declare a state of emergency for the city.

McKinney's letter also calls for assistance to implement restrictions to help prevent the spread of the new virus, according to the release.

"President Nez said he fully supports the request and is hopeful that it will help to prevent Navajo people from traveling to the border town," the release states.

3:30 p.m.: Seven Life Care Center of Farmington residents were among the 11 coronavirus-related deaths reported by the New Mexico Department of Health on Thursday. Those residents included both men and women in their 80s and 90s.

The department of health reported 198 new cases of coronavirus, including 45 in San Juan County. 

There are now 3,411 positive cases in New Mexico. Total numbers by county are: 

  • Bernalillo County: 812
  • Catron County: 1
  • Chaves County: 22
  • Cibola County: 52
  • Colfax County: 5
  • Curry County: 17
  • Doña Ana County: 144
  • Eddy County: 12
  • Grant County: 14
  • Guadalupe County: 14
  • Harding County: 1
  • Lea County: 10
  • Lincoln County: 2
  • Los Alamos County: 6
  • Luna County: 4
  • McKinley County: 1027
  • Otero County: 5
  • Quay County: 4
  • Rio Arriba County: 14
  • Roosevelt County: 9
  • Sandoval County: 389
  • San Juan County: 621
  • San Miguel County: 2
  • Santa Fe County: 100
  • Sierra County: 1
  • Socorro County: 42
  • Taos County: 18
  • Torrance County: 15
  • Union County: 3
  • Valencia County: 45

Updates for Wednesday, April 29

8:30 p.m.: The Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center are reporting 104 new cases, raising the total to 1,977.

The three agencies report two new deaths. The total number of fatalities is now 62.

Data provided by the agencies are for confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation and in the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo, Ramah and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • Navajo County, AZ: 468
  • Apache County, AZ: 450
  • Coconino County, AZ: 274
  • McKinley County, NM: 504
  • San Juan County, NM: 202
  • Cibola County, NM: 17
  • San Juan County, UT: 22
  • Socorro County, NM: 21
  • Sandoval County, NM: 19

4 p.m.: The state of New Mexico is reporting 68 new coronavirus cases in San Juan County and a total of 239 new cases statewide.

There have been 3,213 New Mexicans test positive for COVID-19. Of those 3,213 people, 734 have recovered and 163 are hospitalized. As of Wednesday, the state is reporting 112 coronavirus-related deaths.

  • Bernalillo County: 765
  • Catron County: 1
  • Chaves County: 22
  • Cibola County: 47
  • Colfax County: 5
  • Curry County: 13
  • Doña Ana County: 130
  • Eddy County: 12
  • Grant County: 14
  • Guadalupe County: 14
  • Harding County: 1
  • Lea County: 10
  • Lincoln County: 2
  • Los Alamos County: 6
  • Luna County: 4
  • McKinley County: 953
  • Otero County: 5
  • Quay County: 4
  • Rio Arriba County: 14
  • Roosevelt County: 8
  • Sandoval County: 385
  • San Juan County: 576
  • San Miguel County: 2
  • Santa Fe County: 98
  • Sierra County: 1
  • Socorro County: 42
  • Taos County: 17
  • Torrance County: 15
  • Union County: 3
  • Valencia County: 44

La Plata County, Colorado, has 62 cases and Montezuma County, Colorado, has 16 cases, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

There are 682 cases in Navajo County, Arizona, and 392 cases in Apache County, Arizona.

Updates for Tuesday, April 28

8:30 p.m.: The Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center are reporting 104 new cases of COVID-19, raising the total number to 1,873.

The number includes 886 men and 987 women and an average age of 46.

The three agencies report another death. The total number of fatalities is now 60, which includes 40 men and 20 women. The average age is 65-years-old.

Data provided by the agencies are for confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation and in the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo, Ramah and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 187
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 469
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 17
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 21
  • Sandoval County, New Mexico: 19
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 442
  • Apache County, Arizona: 432
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 264
  • San Juan County, Utah: 22

There have been 10,772 individuals who have been tested as of today with 7,816 returning negative results.

4:15 p.m.: Another Life Care Center of Farmington resident who had tested positive for COVID-19 has died, according to a press release from the governor's office. San Juan County has had 36 coronavirus-related deaths. The Life Care Center of Farmington resident was among six New Mexico coronavirus-related deaths reported Tuesday. The other deaths included three McKinley County residents and two Bernalillo County residents.

New Mexico reported 153 new cases of coronavirus on Tuesday, including 45 in San Juan County.

The total number of cases by county include:

  • Bernalillo County: 738
  • Catron County: 1
  • Chaves County: 22
  • Cibola County: 46
  • Colfax County: 5
  • Curry County: 13
  • Doña Ana County: 129
  • Eddy County: 12
  • Grant County: 14
  • Guadalupe County: 13
  • Harding County: 1
  • Lea County: 10
  • Lincoln County: 2
  • Los Alamos County: 6
  • Luna County: 3
  • McKinley County: 820
  • Otero County: 4
  • Quay County: 4
  • Rio Arriba County: 14
  • Roosevelt County: 8
  • Sandoval County: 383
  • San Juan County: 508
  • San Miguel County: 2
  • Santa Fe County: 98
  • Socorro County: 41
  • Taos County: 17
  • Torrance County: 15
  • Union County: 3
  • Valencia County: 42

Meanwhile, La Plata County, Colorado, has 59 cases of COVID-19 and Montezuma County, Colorado, has 15 cases, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

There are 45 cases of the virus in San Juan County, Utah, according to the Utah Department of Health.

The Arizona Department of Health Services is reporting 380 cases in Apache County and 665 in Navajo County.

Updates for Monday, April 27

9:05 p.m.: The number of positive cases for COVID-19 for the Navajo Nation has increased by 53.

The Navajo Health Command Operations Center is reporting a total of 1,769 cases. Of those individuals, 839 are men and 930 are women. The average age is 47.

The death toll remains at 59, consisting of 39 men and 20 women, according to the health command operations center. The average age of people who have died is 65.

Data provided by the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center reflects confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation and in the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo, Ramah and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 178
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 431
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 16
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 21
  • Sandoval County, New Mexico: 15
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 426
  • Apache County, Arizona: 411
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 250
  • San Juan County, Utah: 21

A press release from the health command operations center states the center continues to deliver care packages that include household necessities, non-perishable food, cloth face masks, disinfectant supplies, and other essential items to the elderly, high-risk individuals and families affect by COVID-19.

Contact the command operations center for more information or to request assistance at 928-871-6271.

4 p.m.: Two more San Juan County residents have been added to the list of coronavirus-related deaths. Both were men in their 70s who were hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions. The state announced five new coronavirus-related deaths, bringing the total number of fatalities to 104.

 There have been 2,823 New Mexicans who have tested positive for COVID-19.

Total case numbers by county include:

  • Bernalillo County: 694
  • Catron County: 1
  • Chaves County: 22
  • Cibola County: 41
  • Colfax County: 5
  • Curry County: 12
  • Doña Ana County: 126
  • Eddy County: 12
  • Grant County: 14
  • Guadalupe County: 13
  • Harding County: 1
  • Lea County: 10
  • Lincoln County: 2
  • Los Alamos County: 6
  • Luna County: 3
  • McKinley County: 778
  • Otero County: 4
  • Quay County: 4
  • Rio Arriba County: 14
  • Roosevelt County: 7
  • Sandoval County: 378
  • San Juan County: 463
  • San Miguel County: 2
  • Santa Fe County: 95
  • Socorro County: 40
  • Taos County: 17
  • Torrance County: 14
  • Union County: 3
  • Valencia County: 42

1 p.m.: New Mexico has launched a series of videos telling the stories of people who have been personally impacted by the coronavirus. These videos can be found at cv.nmhealth.org.

12:32 p.m.: The Arizona Department of Health Services reported 26 new cases of coronavirus in Apache County, five new cases in Coconino County and three new cases in Navajo County.

There were zero new deaths reported in all three counties, according to the health department.

The total number of cases in Apache County is up to 362. Coconino County’s up to 425 cases, while Navajo County is up to 628 cases.

Updates for Sunday, April 26

8:06 p.m.: There were 79 new cases of COVID-19 reported Sunday by the Navajo Department of Health in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, according to a release from the Office of the President and Vice President.

There were no new deaths, leaving the death toll for the Navajo Nation at 59, a number reported on April 25.

The total number of positive COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation has reached 1,716, the releases stated, and a total of 8,037 negative test results. 

The 1,716 confirmed positive cases on the Navajo Nation include the following counties:

• Navajo County, AZ: 405

• Apache County, AZ: 391

• Coconino County, AZ: 243

• McKinley County, NM: 427

• San Juan County, NM: 177

• Cibola County, NM: 16

• San Juan County, UT: 21

•  Socorro County, NM: 21

• Sandoval County, NM: 15

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer used the April 26 release to ask everyone on the Navajo Nation to continue to “comply with the Nation-wide shelter-in-place order that remains in effect 24-hours a day, seven days a week.”

They cautioned that the Navajo Police will “continue to conduct road checkpoints to enforce compliance with the weekend and daily curfews in various communities on the Navajo Nation.”

“When the weekend curfew ends, there shouldn’t be a rush of people leaving their homes to go out into public,” said President Nez. “Let’s continue to stay home, unless you have an emergency or if you need food or medication, to slow the spread of the virus. Now is not the time to let our guard down. Let’s keeping fighting COVID-19 together.” 

6:34 p.m.: New Mexico now has at least 2,726 coronavirus cases with 99 people known dead, state health officials said Sunday.

Due to a technical lapse, reporting results from some labs to the state Department of Health have been delayed and will be included in the state’s reporting Monday or as soon as they are received and lab-confirmed, the Associated Press reported.

Health officials said there were 66 more positive tests since Saturday and six additional deaths. There are 148 people hospitalized in New Mexico for COVID-19. 

"As of today, there are 650 COVID-19 cases designated as having recovered by the New Mexico Department of Health," a release form the governor's office reported on Sunday.

The state said that said three of the deaths were in McKinley County, two in San Juan County and one in Sandoval County.

The Department of Health on April 26 reported the following details on deaths in New Mexico related to COVID-19. Those are:

• A male in his 50s from McKinley County. The individual was hospitalized.

• A female in her 70s from McKinley County. The individual was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions.

• A female in her 80s from McKinley County. The individual was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions.

• A male in his 70s from Sandoval County. The individual was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions.

• A female in her 70s from San Juan County. The individual was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions. The individual was a resident of the Life Care Center in Farmington.

• A male in his 70s from San Juan County. The individual was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions. The individual was a resident of the Life Care Center in Farmington.

The Department of Health has identified positive coronavirus cases in residents and-or staff at 12 congregate living and acute care facilities including four each in Albuquerque and Farmington.

The other facilities are located in Santa Fe, Aztec, Gallup and Rio Rancho.

Per the state Department of Health, the most recent new cases are:

•    18 new cases in Bernalillo County

•    2 new cases in Cibola County

•    2 new cases in Curry County

•    6 new cases in Doña Ana County

•    2 new cases in Eddy County

•    1 new case in Guadalupe County

•    12 new cases in McKinley County

•    2 new cases in Rio Arriba County

•    1 new case in Roosevelt County

•    9 new cases in Sandoval County

•    7 new cases in San Juan County

•    1 new case in Torrance County

•    2 new cases in Union County

•    1 new case in Valencia County

Including the above newly reported cases, New Mexico has now had a total of 2,726 positive tests for COVID-19:

Bernalillo County: 688

Catron County: 1

Chaves County: 22

Cibola County: 41

Colfax County: 5

Curry County: 13

Doña Ana County: 116

Eddy County: 13

Grant County: 14

Guadalupe County: 13

Harding County: 1

Lea County: 10

Lincoln County: 2

Los Alamos County: 6

Luna County: 3

McKinley County: 720

Otero County: 4

Quay County: 4

Rio Arriba County: 14

Roosevelt County: 7

Sandoval County: 374

San Juan County: 442

San Miguel County: 2

Santa Fe County: 95

Socorro County: 40

Taos County: 17

Torrance County: 14

Union County: 3

Valencia County: 42

Saturday, April 25, 2020

10:40 p.m.: The total number of positive cases for COVID-19 is 1,637 on the Navajo Nation. The latest figure includes 97 new cases reported by health agencies.

One additional death was reported, raising the death toll to 59.

Data provided by the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center reflects confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation and in the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo, Ramah and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 168
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 398
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 16
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 21
  • Sandoval County, New Mexico: 15
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 395
  • Apache County, Arizona: 362
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 242
  • San Juan County, Utah: 20

There have been 9,660 tests administered with 7,393 negative results.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a press release to expect higher numbers now that more people are being tested.

The release states that locations on or near the reservation have been setting up mass testing sites. Approximately 1,500 tests were administered by the Utah Navajo Health System to the public in Monument Valley, Utah, according to the release.

3:50 p.m.: The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting 139 new cases of the coronavirus, bringing the total number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the state to 2,660.

There were 15 new cases reported in San Juan County, while there were 69 new cases reported in McKinley County.

The total number of reported cases in San Juan County is up to 435 with 33 deaths, according to the health department, while the total number of reported cases in McKinley County is now at 708 with nine deaths.

Meanwhile, San Juan County has performed 2,432 total tests. McKinley County has performed 3,458 total tests.

Updates for Friday, April 24

7:15 p.m.: As residents on the Navajo Nation prepare to start the third weekend under a 57-hour mandatory curfew, health officials are reporting 180 new cases of COVID-19 on the reservation.

Data provided by the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center reflect a total of 1,540 confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation and in the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo, Ramah and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 154
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 351
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 15
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 20
  • Sandoval County, New Mexico: 15
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 386
  • Apache County, Arizona: 342
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 238
  • San Juan County, Utah: 19

They also report the death toll has increased to 58. There have been 8,978 tests administered and 6,473 people have tested negative.

"With today's large increase in positive cases, it's important to remember that it is partly due to more testing that's available, including rapid testing. On the upside, with more testing we now identifying those individuals who need to isolate themselves," Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a press release from his office.

He added that collaboration continues with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct alternative care sites to house positive patients to help reduce the spread of the new virus.

The alternate care site at Miyamura High School in Gallup will start accepting patients on April 25, according to a joint press release from the Gallup Alternate Care Facility Leadership Team and the New Mexico Department of Health.

The Corps is working on alternate care sites in Shiprock and in Chinle, Arizona.

4:45 p.m.: ECHO Food Bank in Farmington has received $24,000 in funding from the All Together NM Fund. The fund is a state COVID-19 relief fund.

County coronavirus case totals are:

  • Bernalillo County: 651
  • Catron County: 1
  • Chaves County: 22
  • Cibola County: 38
  • Colfax County: 5
  • Curry County: 10
  • Doña Ana County: 94
  • Eddy County: 11
  • Grant County: 14
  • Guadalupe County: 7
  • Harding County: 1
  • Lea County: 10
  • Lincoln County: 2
  • Los Alamos County: 6
  • Luna County: 3
  • McKinley County: 639
  • Otero County: 4
  • Quay County: 4
  • Rio Arriba County: 12
  • Roosevelt County: 4
  • Sandoval County: 357
  • San Juan County: 420
  • San Miguel County: 2
  • Santa Fe County: 94
  • Socorro County: 39

Taos County: 17

Torrance County: 13

Valencia County: 41

4 p.m.: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham says there are 153 new cases of coronavirus in New Mexico, bringing the total number of cases to 2,521. There are also 152 COVID-19 positive people hospitalized and 38 of those patients are on ventilators. 

Lujan Grisham said there were also six new coronavirus-related deaths.

"Nobody is immune from the ravages of this infection," she said.

Three of the six new coronavirus-related deaths were residents of Cedar Ridge Inn in Farmington.

The state is reporting 31 new cases of COVID-19 in San Juan County.

Updates for Thursday, April 23

6:45 p.m.: The Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center reported 78 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of Navajo Nation cases to 1,360. There have also been 52 coronavirus-related deaths.

Data provided by the agencies reflect confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation and the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo, Ramah and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • Navajo County, AZ: 350
  • Apache County, AZ: 287
  • Coconino County, AZ: 229
  • McKinley County, NM: 296
  • San Juan County, NM: 135
  • Cibola County, NM: 14
  • San Juan County, UT: 19
  • Socorro County, NM: 17
  • Sandoval County, NM: 13

A 57-hour weekend curfew goes into effect at 8 p.m. April 24 and ends at 5 a.m. April 27.

“We are seeing good signs that the virus is beginning to slow, but we need to keep our guard up and continue staying home as much as possible," said Vice President Myron Lizer in a press release. "Last weekend, we have over 100 citations issued for curfew violators. Let’s strive to improve this number by complying with the curfew and holding our family and friends accountable. President (Jonathan) Nez and I are praying for all of our people each day, especially for those who have contracted the virus and for the families who have lost loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all." 

4 p.m.: Health officials in New Mexico announced that 169 more people have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the number of test-confirmed positive New Mexicans to 2,379. Of those 2,379 people, 573 have recovered.

The state also reported seven new deaths. The new fatalities include an elderly resident of Life Care Center of Farmington who had tested positive for COVID-19 as well as a San Juan County resident in her 30s who had underlying medical conditions. 

The total number of cases per county include:

  • Bernalillo County: 631
  • Catron County: 1
  • Chaves County: 22
  • Cibola County: 38
  • Colfax County: 5
  • Curry County: 10
  • Doña Ana County: 88
  • Eddy County: 11
  • Grant County: 14
  • Guadalupe County: 3
  • Harding County: 1
  • Lea County: 8
  • Lincoln County: 2
  • Los Alamos County: 6
  • Luna County: 3
  • McKinley County: 573
  • Otero County: 5
  • Quay County: 4
  • Rio Arriba County: 11
  • Roosevelt County: 4
  • Sandoval County: 345
  • San Juan County: 390
  • San Miguel County: 2
  • Santa Fe County: 96
  • Socorro County: 38
  • Taos County: 17
  • Torrance County: 13
  • Valencia County: 38

The number of cases in San Juan County increased by 51.

Updates for Wednesday, April 22

8:30 p.m.: The Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center report 76 new cases for COVID-19 and one additional death. There are now 1,282 positive cases and 49 individuals who have died.

Data provided by the agencies reflect confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation and the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo, Ramah and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 128
  • McKinley County, New Mexico:  270
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 14
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 17
  • Sandoval County, New Mexico: 13
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 342
  • Apache County, Arizona: 260
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 222
  • San Juan County, Utah: 16

Earlier today, the tribe joined a lawsuit against U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin over plans to provide funding to private Alaska Native Corporations from an $8 billion emergency relief package to help tribal governments address the coronavirus pandemic.

The amount was part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump in March.

"Unfortunately, today we had to file a lawsuit against the federal government to get our share of the federal dollars that have allocated for tribes. The first Americans are once again having to fight for what is right and what is ours," tribal President Jonathan Nez said in a press release.

3:10 p.m.: According to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, there are now 2,210 New Mexicans who have tested positive for COVID-19, an increase of 139 people. There are 121 people hospitalized in the state and 33 of those patients are on ventilators.

Lujan Grisham announced six new deaths on Wednesday, bringing the total to 71 coronavirus-related fatalities.

Five of those six new coronavirus-related fatalities were San Juan County residents.

Those new deaths include:

  • Two residents of Life Care Center of Farmington. Both of them were women. One was in her 80s and the other was in her 90s. Both women had underlying medical conditions. One of them was hospitalized.
  • A woman in her 80s who was hospitalized.
  • A man in his 30s who was hospitalized.
  • A man in his 60s with underlying medical conditions.

Cedar Ridge Inn and Wellbrook Rehabilitation Center, both in Farmington, have been added to the list of congregate living facilities with residents who have tested positive for COVID-19.

There have now been 339 people test positive for COVID-19 in San Juan County, an increase of 25 cases.

New Mexico Human Services Secretary David Scrase presented a draft plan for reopening New Mexico, which relies on case counts decreasing and adequate testing to contain the spread of the virus.

Updates for Tuesday, April 21

10 p.m.: Information released tonight for the number of positive tests for COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation varies from previous reports.

The data is still provided by the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center, but it does not include case numbers from border towns.

"Upon further review of the data, the Navajo Epidemiology Center has analyzed and distinguished cases between Navajo Nation residents and border town residents. The newly reported figures only include Navajo Nation residents," a press release from the Navajo Health Command Operations Center stated.

The three agencies are now reporting a total of 1,206 cases, including 63 new cases identified today.

Additional information released today states the total number of cases is comprised of 569 men and 637 women with an average age of 48-years-old.

Also reported are three additional deaths related to the disease, raising the death toll to 48. The number of fatalities consists of 31 men and 17 women with an average age of 65-years-old.

Cases are reported in the following counties, including the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo, Ramah and Tóhajiilee:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 121
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 244
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 14
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 17
  • Sandoval County, New Mexico: 13
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 328
  • Apache County, Arizona: 240
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 214
  • San Juan County, Utah: 15

A total number of 5,017 tests on the Navajo Nation have negative results, the report states.

4 p.m.: New Mexico is reporting 103 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 in the state to 2,072. That includes 21 new cases in San Juan County and 45 in McKinley County.

The total cases by county include: 

  • Bernalillo County: 585
  • Catron County: 1
  • Chaves County: 21
  • Cibola County: 35
  • Colfax County: 5
  • Curry County: 10
  • Doña Ana County: 76
  • Eddy County: 10
  • Grant County: 14
  • Guadalupe County: 1
  • Lea County: 2
  • Lincoln County: 2
  • Los Alamos County: 6
  • Luna County: 3
  • McKinley County: 460
  • Otero County: 3
  • Quay County: 3
  • Rio Arriba County: 11
  • Roosevelt County: 1
  • Sandoval County: 322
  • San Juan County: 314
  • San Miguel County: 2
  • Santa Fe County: 88
  • Socorro County: 34
  • Taos County: 16
  • Torrance County: 13
  • Valencia County: 34

Updates for Monday, April 20

9:40 p.m.: Officials on the Navajo Nation are reporting one additional death related to COVID-19, increasing the death toll to 45.

There are 124 new positive tests, according to the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center.

These are the latest numbers since the last report was issued on April 18.

Data provided by the agencies reflects 1,321 confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation and in border towns, and the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo, Ramah and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 177
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 306 
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 14
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 13
  • Sandoval County, New Mexico: 13
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 332
  • Apache County, Arizona: 233
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 217
  • San Juan County, Utah: 16

Today's report includes 4,579 total tests that have returned negative results.

4:10 p.m.: Two more San Juan County residents were added to the list of coronavirus-related deaths. One was a man in his 80s who lived at Life Care Center of Farmington. He was hospitalized at the time and had underlying medical conditions. The other person was a woman in her 70s who was also hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions. They were among three coronavirus-related deaths announced by the state on Monday, bringing the total number of fatalities to 58.

The number of New Mexicans who have tested positive for COVID-19 increased by 126, bringing the total to 1,971. The New Mexico Department of Health reports 501 people have recovered and 116 people are currently hospitalized in the state.

The new cases include:

  • 24 new cases in Bernalillo County
  • 1 new case in Colfax County
  • 4 new cases in Doña Ana County
  • 1 new case in Eddy County
  • 1 new case in Grant County
  • 53 new cases in McKinley County
  • 1 new case in Quay County
  • 1 new case in Rio Arriba County
  • 2 new cases in Sandoval County
  • 18 new cases in San Juan County
  • 3 new cases in Santa Fe County
  • 11 new cases in Socorro County
  • 1 new case in Taos County
  • 1 new case in Torrance County
  • 4 new cases in Valencia County

The total number of cases include: 

  • Bernalillo County: 566
  • Catron County: 1
  • Chaves County: 21
  • Cibola County: 33
  • Colfax County: 5
  • Curry County: 10
  • Doña Ana County: 73
  • Eddy County: 10
  • Grant County: 14
  • Guadalupe County: 1
  • Lea County: 2
  • Lincoln County: 1
  • Los Alamos County: 6
  • Luna County: 3
  • McKinley County: 416
  • Otero County: 3
  • Quay County: 3
  • Rio Arriba County: 11
  • Roosevelt County: 1
  • Sandoval County: 317
  • San Juan County: 293
  • San Miguel County: 2
  • Santa Fe County: 86
  • Socorro County: 31
  • Taos County: 16
  • Torrance County: 13
  • Valencia County: 33

According to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, 52 people in La Plata County, Colorado, have tested positive for COVID-19. Seven Archuleta County, Colorado, residents and 13 Montezuma County, Colorado, residents have also tested positive.

Updates for Sunday, April 19

4:11 p.m. – Numbers of confirmed COVID-19 cases rose again today, but the numbers are incomplete due to a reporting problem. New Mexico now has a total of 1,845 positive tests for the COVID-19 virus.

New Mexico state health officials today announced 47 more positive tests for COVID-19.

The state also reported two more deaths related to the virus, including an elderly care facility resident from San Juan County. The number of deaths among New Mexico residents related to COVID-19 is now 55.

“Due to a technical lapse, reporting results from some labs to the state Department of Health are delayed Sunday, April 19,” the governor’s office noted in a press release April 19. “As a result, the following data reflects only a partial total. The delayed results will be included in the state’s reporting Monday, April 20, or as soon as they are received and lab-confirmed.”

There are 103 people hospitalized in New Mexico due to the virus, and 487 COVID-19 cases have been designated as having recovered by the New Mexico Department of Health, according to the April 19 release.

The state’s Department of Health reported that the most recent COVID-19 cases are:

• 15 new cases in Bernalillo County

• 2 new cases in Doña Ana County

• 7 new cases in McKinley County

• 15 new cases in San Juan County

• 4 new cases in Sandoval County

• 1 new case in Santa Fe County

• 3 new cases in Valencia County

Two more deaths were reported by the state Department of Health on April 19 related to COVID-19. Those cases are:

• A woman in her 80s from San Juan County who was hospitalized and also had underlying health conditions. She was a resident of the Life Care Center of Farmington.

• A man in his 30s from Bernalillo County who was hospitalized and who also had underlying health conditions.

Including the above newly reported cases, New Mexico has now has a total of 1,845 positive tests for COVID-19:

Bernalillo County: 542

Catron County: 1

Chaves County: 21

Cibola County: 33

Colfax County: 4

Curry County: 10

Doña Ana County: 69

Eddy County: 9

Grant County: 13

Guadalupe County: 1

Lea County: 2

Lincoln County: 1

Los Alamos County: 6

Luna County: 3

McKinley County: 363

Otero County: 3

Quay County: 2

Rio Arriba County: 10

Roosevelt County: 1

Sandoval County: 315

San Juan County: 275

San Miguel County: 2

Santa Fe County: 83

Socorro County: 20

Taos County: 15

Torrance County: 12

Valencia County: 29


Updates for Saturday, April 18

8:49 p.m. — The number of positive cases of the COVID-19 virus on the Navajo Nation has climbed to 1,197 as of April 18, according to a release by the Office of the President and Vice President.

The release noted that is “an increase of 70 positive cases since Friday, according to the Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area Indian Health Service, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center.”

There were 4,075 total negative test results as of Saturday, the release stated, and there have been “44 confirmed deaths, with an average age of 66-years-old, related to COVID-19 as reported on Friday,” the release said.

The Navajo Nation remains under curfew, and Navajo Police Department officers are on the job enforcing that and running some checkpoints. The 57-hour curfew remains in effect until April 20 at 5 a.m. Violators can face a $1,000 fine and 30 days in jail. The Navajo Police Department issued around 119 citations for curfew violators last week.

"We are very appreciative to all of our Navajo Police Officers who are working hard to protect all of us. Let’s help them by staying home and complying with the weekend curfew. Let’s stay home and bring the numbers down and to protect and save the lives of our relatives, friends, and neighbors. Please abide by the orders and continue to pray for our people,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

“We will eventually begin to flatten the curve, but the time is not now to let up on staying home. Please continue to be diligent and to care for your loved ones, especially children and elders. We are working hard to ensure we get more resources and equipment. In the next few weeks, we expect to see increased numbers as we approach the peak of the pandemic. Our prayers are with all of our first responders and all communities,” said Vice President Lizer.

The 1,197 confirmed positive cases include the following counties:

•  Navajo County, AZ: 321

• Apache County, AZ: 187

• Coconino County, AZ: 206

• McKinley County, NM: 261

• San Juan County, NM: 168

• Cibola County, NM: 14

• San Juan County, UT: 14

• Socorro County, NM: 13

• Sandoval County, NM: 13

6:15 p.m.: Agencies on the Navajo Nation are reporting 70 new cases for COVID-19, raising the total number to 1,197.

There were no reports of fatalities today, keeping that number at 44.

Data provided by the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center reflects confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation, and the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 168
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 261
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 14
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 13
  • Sandoval County, New Mexico: 13
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 321
  • Apache County, Arizona: 187
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 206
  • San Juan County, Utah: 14

The health department issued a new public health order that requires individuals to wear protective masks when in public on the Navajo Nation.

The decision was made to help prevent the further spread of the coronavirus, a press release from the tribal president's office states.

The order, issued on April 17, defines a mask as a covering designed to filter a person's breathing through the nose and mouth. A mask must fit snugly to cover the face around the nose and mouth to prevent the person from inhaling unfiltered air.

Masks can be commercially-made or a homemade cloth face covering, the order states. For more information about cloth face coverings visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

5:35 p.m.: Saturday’s reports from state officials show a continuing increase in verified COVID-19 infections. The governor’s office on April 18 reported 87 new cases of COVID-19 statewide and two new deaths, bringing the state’s death toll up to 53.

As of April 18 there are 92 people hospitalized in New Mexico for COVID-19, according to a release from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s office.  

The New Mexico Department of Health reported that 465 people who had the COVID-19 virus are designated as having recovered.

Including the 87 new cases reported April 18, New Mexico has recorded a total of 1,798 positive tests for COVID-19:

  • Bernalillo County: 527
  • Catron County: 1
  • Chaves County: 21
  • Cibola County: 33
  • Colfax County: 4
  • Curry County: 10
  • Doña Ana County: 67
  • Eddy County: 9
  • Grant County: 13
  • Guadalupe County: 1
  • Lea County: 2
  • Lincoln County: 1
  • Los Alamos County: 6
  • Luna County: 3
  • McKinley County: 356
  • Otero County: 3
  • Quay County: 2
  • Rio Arriba County: 10
  • Roosevelt County: 1
  • Sandoval County: 311
  • San Juan County: 260
  • San Miguel County: 2
  • Santa Fe County: 82
  • Socorro County: 20
  • Taos County: 15
  • Torrance County: 12
  • Valencia County: 26

New restrictions for Navajo Nation residents

The Associated Press reports that the Navajo Nation is ordering all people on the tribe's sprawling reservation to wear protective masks when out in public to help fight the spread of the coronavirus.

Tribal officials announced Friday night that the Navajo Department of Health issued an emergency health order for the reservation, which includes parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

The Navajo Nation has been hit harder by the coronavirus than any other Native American tribe. The tribe and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service said the number of positive coronavirus tests reached 1,127 as of Friday with 44 deaths attributed to COVID-19, according to AP.

Updates for Friday, April 17

6:15 p.m.: A curfew for the weekend on the Navajo Nation will start at 8 p.m., while health agencies report 85 new positive tests for COVID-19.

Three fatalities related to the disease were reported today, bringing the number of deaths to 44.

Data provided by the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center reflects 1,127 confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation, and the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 153
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 235
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 13
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 13
  • Sandoval County, New Mexico: 12 
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 316
  • Apache County, Arizona: 168
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 203
  • San Juan County, Utah: 14

The Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President reminds the public that the Navajo Police Department will conduct checkpoints during the curfew, which will end at 5 a.m. on April 20.

Officers will issue citations to individuals who are violating the curfew. Those found guilty face 30 days in jail or a fine up to $1,000 or both.

4:10 p.m.: The governor's office announced 115 new coronavirus cases, bringing the total number of people who have tested positive in New Mexico to 1,711. The new cases include: 

  • 24 new cases in Bernalillo County
  • 2 new cases in Chaves County
  • 2 new cases in Cibola County
  • 1 new case in Colfax County
  • 7 new cases in Doña Ana County
  • 2 new cases in Eddy County
  • 1 new case in Grant County
  • 51 new cases in McKinley County
  • 8 new cases in Sandoval County
  • 14 new cases in San Juan County
  • 1 new case in Santa Fe County
  • 2 new cases in Valencia County

A San Juan County resident is one of seven coronavirus-related deaths reported today in New Mexico. The resident was a man in his 80s who was hospitalized at the time. There have now been 51 coronavirus-related deaths in New Mexico and 382 people have recovered. Ninety-six COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized.

The total number of cases include: 

  • Bernalillo County: 514
  • Catron County: 1
  • Chaves County: 21
  • Cibola County: 32
  • Colfax County: 4
  • Curry County: 10
  • Doña Ana County: 65
  • Eddy County: 9
  • Grant County: 13
  • Lea County: 2
  • Lincoln County: 1
  • Los Alamos County: 6
  • Luna County: 3
  • McKinley County: 316
  • Otero County: 3
  • Quay County: 1
  • Rio Arriba County: 10
  • Roosevelt County: 1
  • Sandoval County: 301
  • San Juan County: 243
  • San Miguel County: 2
  • Santa Fe County: 80
  • Socorro County: 20
  • Taos County: 15
  • Torrance County: 12
  • Valencia County: 26

La Plata County, Colorado, has had 51 people test positive for COVID-19 and Montezuma County, Colorado has had 13 people test positive, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. There have been two fatalities in Montezuma County.

3 p.m.: New Mexico has launched a map where people can see the number of cases by zip code. This map can be found at cv.nmhealth.org under public dashboard.

Updates for Thursday, April 16

6:50 p.m.: The Navajo Nation has exceeded 1,000 positive tests for COVID-19 today.

The Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center report 121 new cases and three more fatalities related to the disease. This raises the death toll to 41.

Confirmed cases are from counties where individuals live on the reservation, and the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 140
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 203
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 13
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 10
  • Sandoval County, New Mexico: 12
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 306
  • Apache County, Arizona: 147
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 199
  • San Juan County, Utah: 12

Residents continue to be under a nightly curfew, and there will be an extended curfew starting at 8 p.m. April 17 and ending at 5 a.m. April 20.

"Now is the time to prepare for the weekend curfew. If you have everything you need, stay home," Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a press release from his office.

4:15 p.m.: The state of New Mexico is reporting three new coronavirus-related deaths in San Juan County including:

  • A man in his 30s who was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions
  • A woman in her 70s
  • A woman in her 80s who was a resident at Life Care Center of Farmington. She was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions

The three San Juan County deaths were among eight new coronavirus-related deaths reported. Two McKinley County residents, a Cibola County resident, a Sandoval County resident and a Bernalillo County resident also died.

New Mexico is also reporting 116 new cases of COVID-19. The new cases include:

  • 17 new cases in Bernalillo County
  • 1 new case in Cibola County
  • 1 new case in Colfax County
  • 4 new cases in Doña Ana County
  • 1 new case in Grant County
  • 1 new case in Luna County
  • 23 new cases in McKinley County
  • 31 new cases in Sandoval County
  • 29 new cases in San Juan County
  • 1 new case in Santa Fe
  • 4 new cases in Socorro County
  • 3 new cases in Valencia County

There are now a total of 1,597 New Mexicans who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 353 of them have recovered. Another 90 individuals are hospitalized.

In San Juan County, 229 people have tested positive for the virus.

1:50 p.m.: Officials on the Navajo Nation have authorized 57-hour curfews for the last two weekends in April.

The curfews will be from 8 p.m. April 17 to 5 a.m. April 20 and from 8 p.m. April 24 to 5 a.m. April 27, according to the public health emergency order the Navajo Department of Health implemented today.

As with the nightly curfew and the curfew that occurred over the Easter holiday, essential employees reporting to and from worksites with proper documentation are exempt.

The order also restricts the operating hours of businesses on the reservation, including closing restaurants and drive-thru restaurants.

Vendors who sell items alongside roads must stop operating during the weekend curfews, the order states.

Gas stations and grocery stores may continue to operate but under limited business hours and minimum occupancy requirements.

The Navajo Nation has been under nightly curfews to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. Officials announced today the extension of curfew hours to cover the remaining weekends in April.

Updates for Wednesday, April 15

9:30 p.m.: Seven more employees for the Navajo Police Department have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total number of personnel with the virus to nine, according to a press release from the department.

The release states the employees have entered self-quarantine and are monitoring symptoms.

The police building in Chinle, Arizona will undergo decontamination as a precautionary measure and the support staff in that district will be placed on administrative leave, according to the release.

"Because of our responsibilities to the community, we will continue to be vigilant and committed to answering calls of service while keeping the safety of the public a high priority," Navajo Police Chief Phillip Francisco said in the release.

The department has been working to secure more personal protective equipment for officers and staff, but the shortage remains a challenge.

The announcement comes as Navajo Nation officials report 83 new cases of COVID-19, and five more deaths related to the disease.

Data provided by the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center reflects 921 confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation, and the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 119
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 170
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 12
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 7
  • Sandoval County, New Mexico: 4
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 288
  • Apache County, Arizona: 121
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 189
  • San Juan County, Utah: 11

There have been 4,741 tests performed and 3,239 have returned negative results, according to the Navajo Health Command Operations Center.

"We truly thank many of those who are abiding by the stay-at-home order and the daily curfew, but it’s very disheartening to receive reports of many people going out into the public today and traveling to border towns – most due to the federal stimulus funds that our people are beginning to receive," Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a press release from his office.

Nez said officials are close to finalizing another public health emergency order to authorize 57-hour curfews for the remaining weekends in April.

2:30 p.m.: The state of New Mexico is reporting 80 new cases of coronavirus, including 11 in San Juan County, 38 in McKinley County and nine in Sandoval County. There are now 1,484 New Mexicans who have tested positive for COVID-19 and 353 have recovered.

The total cases include:

  • Bernalillo County: 477
  • Catron County: 1
  • Chaves County: 19
  • Cibola County: 29
  • Colfax County: 2
  • Curry County: 10
  • Doña Ana County: 54
  • Eddy County: 7
  • Grant County: 11
  • Lea County: 2
  • Lincoln County: 1
  • Los Alamos County: 6
  • Luna County: 2
  • McKinley County: 242
  • Otero County: 3
  • Quay County: 1
  • Rio Arriba County: 10
  • Roosevelt County: 1
  • Sandoval County: 262
  • San Juan County: 200
  • San Miguel County: 2
  • Santa Fe County: 78
  • Socorro County: 16
  • Taos County: 15
  • Torrance County: 12
  • Valencia County: 21

10 a.m.: Farmington Mayor Nate Duckett has declared a local economic emergency and called for businesses to be permitted to open immediately with reduced occupancy.

Updates for Tuesday, April 14

6:45 p.m.: San Juan County announced that two volunteer firefighters and two sheriff's office deputies are in quarantine after being exposed to someone who had tested positive for COVID-19 during an emergency medical service call.

Dispatchers had asked the patient questions and did not believe the patient had coronavirus. First responders were not wearing masks or eye protection. Later, the New Mexico Department of Health Emergency Medical Service Bureau alerted the first responders.

“Our service operates with volunteer responders, we cannot afford to lose these responders for two weeks because they were unaware of the risk of infection and could not take appropriate precautions,” said San Juan County Fire Chief John Mohler

6:38 p.m.: Agencies on the Navajo Nation are reporting 25 new cases for COVID-19, and five more deaths related to the disease.

The update brings the total number of cases to 838, and the death toll to 33.

Data provided by the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center reflects confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation, and the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 115
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 147 
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 12
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 7
  • Sandoval County, New Mexico: 3 
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 270 
  • Apache County, Arizona: 107
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 166
  • San Juan County, Utah: 11

The Navajo Health Command Operations Center reports 4,393 tests have been conducted and 3,107 have returned negative results.

5 p.m.: The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting 62 new cases of coronavirus, including 19 in San Juan County. It is also reporting five new coronavirus-related deaths.

The deaths include:

  • A woman in her 90s from Bernalillo County who had underlying medical conditions.
  • A woman in her 60s from San Juan County who was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions.
  • A woman in her 60s from San Juan County who was hospitalized.
  • A man in his 50s from San Juan County who was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions.
  • A woman in her 60s from Sandoval County who was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions.

The state is now reporting 1,407 coronavirus cases and 82 people are hospitalized who have tested positive for coronavirus. According to a press release, 340 New Mexicans have recovered.

The total case numbers include:

  • Bernalillo County: 464
  • Catron County: 1
  • Chaves County: 19
  • Cibola County: 28
  • Colfax County: 2
  • Curry County: 10
  • Doña Ana County: 50
  • Eddy County: 7
  • Grant County: 10
  • Lea County: 2
  • Lincoln County: 1
  • Los Alamos County: 6
  • Luna County: 2
  • McKinley County: 204
  • Otero County: 3
  • Quay County: 1
  • Rio Arriba County: 10
  • Roosevelt County: 1
  • Sandoval County: 253
  • San Juan County: 192
  • San Miguel County: 2
  • Santa Fe County: 76
  • Socorro County: 15
  • Taos County: 15
  • Torrance County: 12
  • Valencia County: 21

10:58 a.m.: The Navajo Police Department has confirmed that two employees of the department have tested positive for COVID-19.

The employees have been placed on self-quarantine and are currently being monitored for symptoms according to a press release send out by the Navajo Police Department. 

“Our responsibilities put us in a high-risk environment and the concerns for officers and staff safety is always present. We will continue to support one another and get through this,” Navajo Police Chief Phillip Francisco wrote in the press release, “Our officers remain dedicated and our services will continue. We will continue to support our staff members who are in quarantine and continue our job as public safety officers.”

Updates for Monday, April 13

10:05 p.m.: The Navajo Police Department issued more than 115 criminal nuisance citations for violations during the curfew from 8 p.m. April 10 to 5 a.m. April 13.

The department states in a press release that more than 120 officers in the seven police districts participated in curfew operation efforts, including public service announcements in communities, increased officer presence and conducted checkpoints.

"The intent and purpose of the curfew was to restrict the movement of individuals on the Navajo Nation and minimize the growth and spread of COVID-19 in communities," the release states.

The 57-hour curfew was authorized by a public health emergency order issued on April 5 by the Navajo Department of Health.

The police department reminds the public that emergency orders to stay at home and a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily remains in effect.

"The Navajo Police Department will continue conducting public service announcement checkpoints to educate and promote public awareness," the release states.

"We saw good results with the 57-hour curfew this past weekend and we are considering a similar curfew once again to help decrease the spread. Our police officers did a great job," Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a press release from his office.

Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer will have a town hall meeting at 10 a.m. MDT April 14 on the Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer Facebook page.

6:20 p.m.: The Navajo Department of Health is reporting 115 new cases as well as four new fatalities. The new deaths brings the total coronavirus-related deaths to 28 on Navajo Nation. The case numbers announced today include both April 12 and April 13. No case numbers were released on April 12 due to the Easter holiday.

The total number of Navajo Nation coronavirus cases include:

  • Navajo County, Arizona: 251
  • Apache County, Arizona: 100
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 159
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 109
  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 80
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 9
  • San Juan County, Utah: 11
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 6
  • Sandoval County, New Mexico: 3

In addition, the Navajo Nation Epidemiology Center reported an additional 85 cases of Navajos living in border towns like Farmington or Gallup in New Mexico and Page or Flagstaff in Arizona who tested positive for coronavirus, according to Byron Shorty, a spokesman for the Navajo Department of Health.

4:30 p.m.: The state of New Mexico announced five new coronavirus-related deaths, all of them San Juan County residents. These deaths include:

  • A woman in her 80s
  • A man in his 70s
  • A man in his 40s
  • A man in his 80s
  • Another woman in her 80s

All five individuals were hospitalized at the time of their death and had underlying medical conditions, according to a press release from the governor's office.

In addition, the state is reporting 23 new cases of coronavirus in San Juan County and 107 new cases statewide. There are a total of 1,345 cases statewide including:

  • Bernalillo County: 455
  • Catron County: 1
  • Chaves County: 19
  • Cibola County: 25
  • Colfax County: 2
  • Curry County: 10
  • Doña Ana County: 50
  • Eddy County: 7
  • Grant County: 10
  • Lea County: 2
  • Lincoln County: 1
  • Los Alamos County: 5
  • Luna County: 2
  • McKinley County: 191
  • Otero County: 3
  • Quay County: 1
  • Rio Arriba County: 7
  • Roosevelt County: 1
  • Sandoval County: 244
  • San Juan County: 173
  • San Miguel County: 1
  • Santa Fe County: 76
  • Socorro County: 14
  • Taos County: 15
  • Torrance County: 10
  • Valencia County: 20

12 p.m.: San Juan Health Partners, a division of San Juan Regional Medical Center, is offering telephone and video visits with its providers.

People needing medical care from one of the San Juan Health Partners' clinics can call the clinic's main number and schedule an appointment. A customer service representative will call them to check them in for their virtual visit.

Updates for Sunday, April 12

4 p.m.: The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting a second coronavirus-related death in San Juan County. A woman in her 90s died today, according to a press release. She was one of six new deaths the department of health reported. She was hospitalized at the time.

The other coronavirus-related deaths include three Bernalillo County residents, a Cibola County resident and a Doña Ana County resident.

There have now been 26 coronavirus-related deaths in the state.

New Mexico reported 74 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total to 1,245. Those new cases include two in San Juan County. There have been 151 people in San Juan County test positive for the virus.

According to the state, 295 New Mexicans have recovered from COVID-19. There are also 80 people hospitalized.

Updates for Saturday, April 11

7:06 p.m.: The Navajo Nation is reporting 101 new positive cases for COVID-19 cases, the largest single day increase since the first case was reported on March 17.

Two additional deaths were reported as well, raising that number to 24.

Data provided by the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center reflects 698 confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation, and the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 97
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 92
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 11
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 6
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 252
  • Apache County, Arizona: 79
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 150
  • San Juan County, Utah: 11

The agencies report 2,760 negative test results as of today.

A press release from the Office of the Navajo Nation President and Vice President states that President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer have been informed that rapid test kits by Abbott Laboratories will be available soon at health care facilities managed by the Navajo Area IHS and those with 638 federal contracts.

The Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 test can deliver positive results in as little as five minutes and negative results in 13 minutes, according to a company press release.

The Navajo Nation remains under a 57-hour curfew this weekend. It is scheduled to end at 5 a.m. on April 13.

5 p.m.: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham has expanded the state ban on mass gatherings to include churches and other houses of worship. This announcement came the day before Easter.

The state announced 84 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number to 1,174. There have also been 20 coronavirus-related deaths.

The most recent death was a San Juan County man in his 70s who was hospitalized.

The New Mexico Department of Health announced seven new cases of coronavirus in San Juan County, bringing the total number to 149.

Updates for Friday, April 10

7:09 p.m.: There are 39 new cases of COVID-19 and the number of deaths related to the disease remains at 22 for the Navajo Nation, officials reported today.

Data provided by the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center shows a total of 597 confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation, and the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 82
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 63
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 11
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 2
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 234
  • Apache County, Arizona: 61
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 134
  • San Juan County, Utah: 10

The agencies report 2,705 negative test results as of today.

"With the number of positive cases rising, it's imperative that we make smart decisions to protect the ones we love. Please think of our grandmothers and grandfathers and those with underlying conditions," Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a press release this evening.

A curfew authorized by the tribe's health department will start at 8 p.m. today and end at 5 a.m. April 13 for residents on the tribal land. Exempt from the curfew are essential employees who are required to have documentation from their employer.

The Navajo Police Department will increase its presence and issue citations to those who violate the curfew.

4 p.m.: New Mexico is now reporting 1,091 positive cases of coronavirus in the state. According to a press release from the state department of health, there are 17 new cases in San Juan County.

The 17 new cases brings the total number of cases in the county to 142. A previously reported case has been removed from the case numbers after it was determined to be an inconclusive lab result. That patient is now being retested.

New Mexico is also reporting 19 coronavirus-related deaths.

Updates for Thursday, April 9

8:48 p.m.: The Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center are reporting 70 new positive tests for COVID-19, bringing the total number to 558.

The agencies report two additional deaths related to COVID-19, increasing the death toll to 22.

The data reflects confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation, and the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo and Tóhajiilee.

Navajo County in Arizona continues to have the highest number of cases at 222, followed by Coconino County in Arizona with 124 cases.

San Juan County in New Mexico has 79 cases, Apache County in Arizona has 59 cases, McKinley County in New Mexico has 53 cases, San Juan County in Utah at 10 cases, Cibola County in New Mexico has nine cases, and Socorro County in New Mexico has two cases.

There have been 2,381 tests that have come back negative.

For more information, visit the COVID-19 website for the Navajo Department of Health at http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19.

The Navajo Health Command Operations Center can be reached 928-871-7014.

4 p.m.: According to Lujan Grisham, there are 989 cases of coronavirus in New Mexico and 17 coronavirus-related deaths. 

The state is reporting 124 new cases of COVID-19, including the first case in Colfax County.

There are 73 people hospitalized with coronavirus and 22 of them are on ventilators.

Lujan Grisham said 217 people have recovered from the virus.

The new cases include nine in San Juan County.

Updates for Wednesday, April 8

8:40 p.m.: Officials on the Navajo Nation are reporting 488 total positive tests for COVID-19, and the death toll has increased to 20. There are 2,221 negative test results.

Data provided by the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center reflects confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation, and the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 70 
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 45
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 9
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 2 
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 186
  • Apache County, Arizona: 50
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 116
  • San Juan County, Utah: 10

There will be a town hall meeting about COVID-19 at 10 a.m. MDT April 9 on the Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer Facebook page.

4:30 p.m.: The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting 72 new cases of coronavirus, including nine in San Juan County.

There are now 865 New Mexicans who have tested positive for COVID-19. Of those 865 people, 201 of them have recovered and 59 are currently in the hospital.

The New Mexico Department of Health is also reporting three new deaths in the state. All three are Bernalillo County residents with underlying medical conditions. There have been 16 coronavirus-related deaths in the state.

9 a.m.: A branch of the Navajo Nation government and a tribal enterprise are adjusting services this week.

The Navajo Nation Judicial Branch will close all courts, programs and offices from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on April 10 for a holiday.

The public service announcement states that essential services will resume on April 13.

The branch restricted public access to its buildings in March due to the public health emergency order issued by the Navajo Department of Health for the coronavirus.

A limited number of employees have been providing essential services at court locations since then and can be reached by calling the respective court.

The Navajo Agricultural Products Industry has adjusted the hours of operation at its Region 2 Scales for the remainder of the week.

The Region 2 Scales will be open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning on April 7 through April 9 and will be closed from April 10 through April 12, according to a post on the Navajo Pride – NAPI Facebook page.

The area will reopen at 10 a.m. on April 13, the post states.

NAPI is modifying the hours of operation due to the public health emergency order that enacted a curfew this weekend for the Navajo Nation.

The tribe's health department authorized the curfew – from 8 p.m. April 10 to 5 a.m. April 13 – to slow the spread of COVID-19 in communities.

Updates for Tuesday, April 7

5:47 p.m.: There are 42 new confirmed cases for COVID-19 and two additional deaths related to COVID-19, according to a press release from the Navajo Health Command Operations Center

Today's numbers bring the total number of cases to 426 and a death toll of 17 for the Navajo Nation.

Data provided by the Navajo Epidemiology Center in the release reflects confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation, and the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 66
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 32
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 8
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 2
  • Bernalillo County, New Mexico: 1
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 164
  • Apache County, Arizona: 44
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 102
  • San Juan County, Utah: 7

There have been 3,850 tests conducted with 2,121 negative results, according to the release.

A sign notifying the public about the temporary closure of parks and points of interest managed by the Navajo Parks and Recreation Department is pictured on April 7 on Navajo Route 36 near Ojo Amarillo.

4 p.m.: The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting 109 new cases in the state, including 24 in San Juan County.

The new cases brings the number of coronavirus cases to 794 in New Mexico and 107 in San Juan County.

The state is also reporting that a Bernalillo County man died April 6. The man was in his 30s and had underlying medical conditions. New Mexico has now had 13 coronavirus-related deaths.

Updates for Monday, April 6

8:39 p.m.: The Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center report 30 new cases of COVID-19 for the Navajo Nation, raising the total to 384. The death toll from the virus is 15.

The data reflects confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation, and the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 49
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 23
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 8
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 2
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 156
  • Apache County, Arizona: 37
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 102
  • San Juan County, Utah: 7

There were 2,134 negative test results as of Monday.

"COVID-19 cases and deaths are growing at a very alarming rate on the Navajo Nation," tribal President Jonathan Nez said in a press release this evening.

He said there will be an additional curfew from 8 p.m. April 10 to 5 a.m. April 13 because people are not complying with the stay-at-home order.

"Police will issue citations, fines and detain people if they don't abide by the order," he said.

The president's office announced the weekend curfew in a separate press release today.

"The weekend curfew does not apply to essential employees, including medical providers and first responders, which are required to show proof of official identification or letter of designation from their essential business employer on official letterhead. Other essential businesses are encouraged to limit operations during the curfew," that release states.

6:30 p.m.: Lujan Grisham has extended the stay at home order through the end of April. In addition, she is now ordering grocery stores to limit the number of people inside to 20% capacity, according to a press release. Hotels and other lodging facilities must reduce their capacity to 25% starting April 7. Currently they can operate at 50% capacity.

Payday lenders, car dealers and liquor stores must close, according to the press release.

4 p.m.: San Juan County has 25 new cases of coronavirus, according to a press release from the New Mexico Department of Health. That brings the total number of cases in the county to 83.

New Mexico announced 62 new positive cases including:

  • 16 in Bernalillo County
  • 1 in Chaves County
  • 1 in Doña Ana County
  • 2 in Grant County
  • 4 in McKinley County
  • 25 in San Juan County
  • 11 in Sandoval County
  • 2 in Santa Fe County

There are 686 cases in New Mexico.

McKinley County has 44 cases, Rio Arriba County has six cases and Sandoval County has 114 cases.

The majority of cases are in Bernalillo County, where there are 262 cases.

3:30 p.m.: Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-NM, has launched a "Hometown Heroes" initiative aimed at recognizing the actions people in the community are taking in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

People can nominate a New Mexico Hometown Hero.

"The coronavirus pandemic has brought upon some of the most challenging times many of us will ever face. But it has also shown us how dependent we are on one another for support," Heinrich said in a press release. "I'm asking for New Mexicans to nominate heroes in their communities so I can help uplift their stories. These New Mexicans are a real inspiration and give me hope that there is still real good happening in the midst of such a daunting time."

1:30 p.m.: The Arizona Department of Health Services is reporting 210 cases of coronavirus in Navajo County, 163 in Coconino County and 25 in Apache County. The Arizona numbers include the Navajo Nation cases.

10 a.m.: Of the 58 positive tests in San Juan County, 45 of them are from Navajo Nation.

As of the morning of April 6, La Plata County, Colorado, was reporting 31 confirmed coronavirus cases, according to San Juan Basin Public Health. There are also six cases in Archuleta County, Colorado. Meanwhile, Montezuma County, Colorado, is reporting eight cases and had its first fatality last week.

Navajo Lake State Park is closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Updates for Sunday, April 5

7:57 p.m.: Thirty-three more cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed for the Navajo Nation, along with an additional death, the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center reports.

The tribe now has 354 confirmed cases with 14 total deaths.

Data provided by the agencies reflect confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation, and the noncontiguous chapters of Alamo and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 45
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 17
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 7
  • Socorro County, New Mexico: 2
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 149
  • Apache County, Arizona: 33
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 94
  • San Juan County, Utah: 7

The agencies report there were 1,796 negative test results as of April 2.

6:04 p.m.: President Donald J. Trump has approved a Major Disaster Declaration for New Mexico. FEMA announced on the afternoon of April 5 that that federal emergency aid was available in New Mexico “to supplement the state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic beginning on Jan. 20, 2020, and continuing.”

Delaware, South Dakota, Mississippi and Oklahoma also received declarations April 5. Many other states received similar declarations April 3 and 4, announced via https://www.fema.gov/news-releases.

Federal money is available to “state, tribal, and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency protective measures (Category B), including direct federal assistance under Public Assistance, for all areas affected by COVID-19 at a federal cost share of 75 percent,” the brief release stated.

FEMA named George A. Robinson as the region’s federal coordinating officer for all federal recovery operations in the area. 

4:58 p.m.: Navajo Police Chief Phillip Francisco reminded the public to observe the nightly curfew on the Navajo Nation.

The Navajo Department of Health has issued a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily and a stay-at-home order for residents on the Navajo Nation in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Francisco spoke during a town hall meeting today on the Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer Facebook page.

He said those not complying with the orders could be charged with criminal nuisance, an offense in the tribe's criminal code.

Those found guilty face 30 days in jail or a fine of $1,000 or both, he said.

"We will issue citations, if needed, if we find out that you are traveling unnecessarily," Francisco said.

Officers continue to respond to emergency situations, but if a person knowingly exposes an officer to COVID-19, they will be charged with battery of a police officer under the tribe's criminal code as well as face federal charges, he said.

"I'm taking my officers safety very, very seriously and I will pursue those with the U.S. attorney's office and the tribal prosecutors to make sure people do not put my officers in undue danger," he said.

Navajo Police Officer Dekaila Begay said while on patrol in the district of Window Rock, Arizona, she continues to see vehicles occupied by several passengers.

"With the limited supplies that we all have, with the rural community that we have to work in, we understand that people have to go out and have to go travel and get the supplies they need, but that should be limited," Begay said during the meeting.

Navajo police officers from the department's Shiprock District talk to motorists during a checkpoint on April 1 on the westbound lanes of U.S. Highway 64 in Hogback.

4:30 p.m.: New Mexico state health officials announced 81 additional positive tests for COVID-19, bringing the number of positive cases statewide to 624 as of April 5.

A death reported by the Department of Health on April 5 related to COVID-19 brings the statewide death toll to 12. A man in his 40s from McKinley County died on April 5. Health officials said he had underlying medical conditions, according to a press release by the governor's office.

There are 58 cases identified in San Juan County.

There are 45 people hospitalized in New Mexico for COVID-19, and, as of April 5, 130 people who had COVID-19 are designated by the New Mexico Department of Health as having recovered.

The state Department of Health reported the most recent cases are:

  • 21 new cases in Bernalillo County
  • 2 new cases in Cibola County
  • 6 new cases in Doña Ana County
  • 1 new case in Los Alamos County
  • 9 new cases in McKinley County
  • 1 new case in Otero County
  • 34 new cases in Sandoval County
  • 4 new cases in Santa Fe County
  • 1 new case in Socorro County
  • 2 new cases in Valencia County

“Today's announced cases include additional positive tests from the La Vida Llena long-term care facility in Albuquerque, where one additional resident and two additional staff members have now tested positive for COVID-19,” the governor’s office stated in a press release April 5.

Including the above newly reported cases, New Mexico has now had a total of 624 positive tests for COVID-19:

  • Bernalillo County: 246
  • Catron County: 1
  • Chaves County: 13
  • Cibola County: 14
  • Curry County: 6
  • Doña Ana County: 29
  • Eddy County: 4
  • Grant County: 1
  • Lea County: 2
  • Lincoln County: 1
  • Los Alamos County: 2
  • McKinley County: 40
  • Otero County: 3
  • Rio Arriba County: 6
  • Roosevelt County: 1
  • Sandoval County: 103
  • San Juan County: 58
  • San Miguel County: 1
  • Santa Fe County: 62
  • Socorro County: 5
  • Taos County: 13
  • Torrance County: 6
  • Valencia County: 7

Updates for Saturday, April 4

8:41 p.m.: Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez strongly recommends people wear masks and use gloves when in public settings to help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus.ez made the recommendation during a town hall meeting organized by his office on Friday. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises wearing cloth face masks when in public areas where social distancing is difficult to maintain and in communities were there is significant transmission of the virus.

The recommendations come as Nez's office reported 51 new COVID-19 cases and one additional death today.

This brings the total number of cases to 321, and the total number of deaths to 13.

"Before you consider going out for any reason, think of the well-being of your elders and your children," Nez said in the press release from his office.

Data provided by the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center reflects confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation, and the non-contiguous chapters of Alamo and Tóhajiilee.

Cases are reported in the following counties:

    • San Juan County, New Mexico: 30

    • McKinley County, New Mexico: 17

    • Cibola County, New Mexico: 7

    • Socorro County, New Mexico: 2

    • Navajo County, Arizona: 137

    • Apache County, Arizona: 31

    • Coconino County, Arizona: 90

    • San Juan County, Utah: 7

"Be mindful that the numbers we are seeing are two to three days old due to the delay in test results for COVID-19. We are demanding that rapid testing be offered immediately and that testing laboratories be established in our communities," Nez said.

The president and Vice President Myron Lizer will provide an update about COVID-19 at 2 p.m. MDT Sunday on the Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer Facebook page.

8:35 p.m.: State health officials announced April 4 that there are 51 additional positive tests for COVID-19 in New Mexico. New Mexico has a total of 541 positive tests for COVID-19. 

The New Mexico Department of Health reported one additional death in New Mexico related to COVID-19. The case is a man in his 60s from McKinley County who died April 4. The individual was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions, health officials said.

There are 37 individuals hospitalized in New Mexico for COVID-19 as of April 4. Also as of April 4, there are 54 COVID-19 cases designated by the New Mexico Department of Health as having recovered.

The state Department of Health reported that the most recent cases are:

23 new cases in Bernalillo County

4 new cases in Cibola County

1 new case in Lincoln County

1 new case in Los Alamos County

1 new case in McKinley County

1 new case in Rio Arriba County

2 new cases in Sandoval County

9 new cases in San Juan County

6 new cases in Santa Fe County

3 new cases in Torrance County

Updates for Friday, April 3

8:24 p.m.: The total number of positive cases for COVID-19 has reached 270 for the Navajo Nation. There are also four additional deaths, bringing the total to 12.

Data provided by the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center reflects confirmed cases from counties where individuals live on the reservation.

The total this evening includes the first case for Socorro County, where Alamo Chapter is located. San Juan County in New Mexico has 26 cases, McKinley County in New Mexico has 15 cases, Cibola County in New Mexico has four cases, Navajo County in Arizona has 112 cases, Apache County in Arizona has 22 cases, Coconino County in Arizona has 83 cases and San Juan County in Utah has seven cases.

The total for McKinley County changed from 16 to 15 due to verification of residency.

"Today, we received reports of bingo games taking place in a few areas – this needs to stop immediately! We have a public health crisis going on, and this is the type of irresponsible activities that put us all at risk," Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said in a press release from his office.

The number of tests administered for COVID-19 is 2,353 and the number of negative results is 1,796 as of April 2.

The Navajo Nation has a curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily for residents. Navajo Police Chief Phillip Francisco said today that officers will start issuing citations for violating the curfew.

3 p.m.: Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is hosting a Facebook live video. She said there are 495 total cases in New Mexico, an increase of 92 new cases today. There are also three new deaths, bringing the total to 10. There are 41 people hospitalized and 18 of them are on ventilators.

Nine of the new cases are in San Juan County, bringing the total number of people with coronavirus to 50. 

There are 26 new cases in Sandoval County and eight new cases in McKinley County.

The New Mexico Department of Health announced that two Bernalillo County residents and a Sandoval County resident have died. All three had underlying medical conditions. The Bernalillo County residents were in their 80s and the Sandoval County resident was in his 70s.

2:30 p.m.: The San Juan Regional Medical Center external assessment area will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 6, April 8 and April 10. This assessment area is for people who have flu-like symptoms like fever, cough, body aches, sore throat and runny nose. It is located on West Piñon Street in Farmington.

10:10 a.m.: The University of Arizona Health Sciences Biorepository will donate 250 test kits for COVID-19 to the Navajo Nation to help the ongoing need for the item in health care facilities on the reservation.

A press release from the Navajo Nation Council's Office of the Speaker states the UAHS Biorepository started producing the test kits last week in response shortages for the items across the United States and in southwestern Arizona.

The test kits produced by the UAHS Biorepository team consists of two main components – the swabs and the viral transport medium that secures the sample taken from an individual.

The test kits will be delivered to a central facility on the Navajo Nation and distributed to other facilities based on need, the release states. There are 13 health care facilities managed by the Navajo Area Indian Health Service and those with 638 federal contracts.

"Fortunately, our personnel at the biorepository have several decades of experience in creating biospecimen collection kits for use in FDA-approved analyses and clinical applications," David Harris, executive director of the UAHS Biorepository, said in the release.

The university is donating other supplies and personal protective equipment, including hand sanitizer, medical gloves, surgical masks, hand-sewn surgical masks and cleaning supplies.

"The University of Arizona is doing something we, as a nation, and our U of A students can be proud of, and that's to 'Bear Down' as we prepare for the larger surge of cases on the Navajo Nation. We are truly thankful for every bit of assistance from the university and our partners everywhere," Speaker Seth Damon said in the release.

8:30 a.m.: The City of Aztec has closed its playgrounds, although parks remain open, according to a post on the city's Facebook page.

Updates for Thursday, April 2

6:48 p.m.: The Navajo Nation is reporting an additional death related to COVID-19, this brings the total number of deaths to eight.

There are now 241 confirmed cases of COVID-19, an increase of 27 since Wednesday.

The Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service and Navajo Epidemiology Center have released new details this evening, stating that 1,796 individuals have tested negative for COVID-19.

The counties that have positive cases on the Navajo Nation are:

    • San Juan County, New Mexico: 25

    • McKinley County, New Mexico: 16

    • Cibola County, New Mexico: 4

    • Navajo County, Arizona: 104

    • Apache County, Arizona: 22

    • Coconino County, Arizona: 63

    • San Juan County, Utah: 7

There will be a town hall meeting at 10 a.m. MDT Friday on Facebook Live to provide updates about COVID-19 and response efforts.

The meeting will broadcast on the Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer Facebook page.

The New Mexico Department of Transportation is using electronic message boards to advise the public to shop alone to reduce the spread of COVID-19. A message board is situated on New Mexico Highway 371 south of Farmington.

4 p.m.: The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting 40 new cases of coronavirus, bringing the total number to 403. The new cases include four new cases in San Juan County, four new cases in McKinley County, a new case in Rio Arriba County and eight new cases in Sandoval County.

Total case numbers include:

  • 41 in San Juan County
  • 40 in Sandoval County
  • Five in Rio Arriba County
  • 24 in McKinley County

Some of the cases being reported by New Mexico Department of Health are also included in the numbers reported by Navajo Nation.

There are 34 coronavirus patients in the state who are currently hospitalized. The state is also reporting that 31 people who were diagnosed with the virus have now recovered.

The New Mexico Department of Health is reporting that a Bernalillo County resident in her 70s died April 1, bringing the total coronavirus-related deaths in the state to seven.

Meanwhile, San Juan Basin Public Health is reporting an increase of five cases in La Plata County, bringing the total number of La Plata cases to 29. There have not been any new cases in Archuleta County.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is reporting two additional cases in Montezuma County, bringing the total number of positive cases to three.

3:45 p.m.: Crow Canyon Archaeological Center, located outside of Cortez, Colorado, has announced it will be closed until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic. In addition, it is canceling all of its spring and summer programs.

However, in the press release, the archaeological center stated its staff is working remotely and focusing on expanding its online learning opportunities. This will allow students of all ages to learn about archaeology. 

More information is available at crowcanyon.org.

1 p.m.: The Arizona Department of Health is reporting a total of 129 cases of coronavirus in Navajo County and 19 total cases in Apache County. Some of these cases are also being reported by Navajo Nation.

The number of cases in Apache County increased by two and Navajo County has 27 new cases.

Arizona is also reporting an increase of 29 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Coconino County, bringing the total to 114. Some of the Coconino County cases are also Navajo Nation cases.

8:35 p.m.: State health officials announced April 4 that there are 51 additional positive tests for COVID-19 in New Mexico.

The Department of Health reported one additional death in New Mexico related to COVID-19. The case is a man in his 60s from McKinley County who died Saturday, April 4. The individual was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions, health officials said.

There are 37 individuals hospitalized in New Mexico for COVID-19 as of April 4. Also as of April 4, there are 54 COVID-19 cases designated by the New Mexico Department of Health as having recovered.

The state Department of Health reported that the most recent cases are:

  • 23 new cases in Bernalillo County
  • 4 new cases in Cibola County
  • 1 new case in Lincoln County
  • 1 new case in Los Alamos County
  • 1 new case in McKinley County
  • 1 new case in Rio Arriba County
  • 2 new cases in Sandoval County
  • 9 new cases in San Juan County
  • 6 new cases in Santa Fe County
  • 3 new cases in Torrance County

Updates for Wednesday, April 1

11:15 p.m.: Forty new cases of COVID-19 for the Navajo Nation were reported today by the Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area Indian Health Service, in coordination with the tribe's epidemiology center.

The increase brings the total number of cases to 214, and the total number of deaths remains at seven.

San Juan County in New Mexico has 22 cases, McKinley County in New Mexico has 14 cases, Cibola County in New Mexico has three cases, Apache County in Arizona has 22 cases, Navajo County in Arizona has 97 cases, Coconino County in Arizona has 49 cases and San Juan County in Utah has seven cases.

The information was released this evening by the Office of the President and Vice President, which included that President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer are calling for more test kits and on-site laboratory testing be available on the tribal land.

The health department has information about COVID-19 as well as reports, prevention tips and additional resources at http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. The Navajo Health Command Operations Center can be reached at 928-871-7014.

5:10 p.m.: Colorado's San Juan Basin Public Health reported one new case of coronavirus in La Plata County and zero new cases in Archuleta County. There are now 24 confirmed cases in La Plata County and one confirmed case in Archuleta County.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported zero new cases in Montezuma County, which remains at one.

4:30 p.m.: A Sandoval County resident in her 90s died March 31, bringing the number of coronavirus-related deaths in the state to six, the New Mexico Department of Health announced in a press release. According to the press release, the woman was hospitalized and had underlying medical conditions.

The department of health is now reporting 363 confirmed cases of coronavirus, including 48 new cases. The new cases include:

  • Five in San Juan County
  • Four in McKinley County
  • Three in Sandoval County 
  • Two in Cibola County

There are now 37 confirmed cases in San Juan County and 20 in McKinley County. Those case numbers include cases also being reported by Navajo Nation. The state is reporting a total of four cases in Rio Arriba County and 32 cases in Sandoval County.

12:30 p.m.: The Arizona Department of Health Services reported 17 new cases of coronavirus in Navajo County, bringing the total number of cases to 102. Many of those cases are also included in the Navajo Nation counts. Arizona is also reporting 45 new cases in Coconino County, which brings the total to 85.

Updates for March

A graphic posted on the Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer Facebook page shares the message to use precautionary measures for shopping.

San Juan County had its first person test positive for coronavirus on March 21 when a Farmington firefighter tested positive after returning from an out-of-state trip.

Navajo Nation saw high numbers of cases. At first the cases seemed to be centered around a single community. It reported its first cases in San Juan County, New Mexico, on March 24.

By the end of the month, Navajo Nation reported 174 cases:.

  • San Juan County, New Mexico: 15
  • McKinley County, New Mexico: 10
  • Cibola County, New Mexico: 1
  • Apache County, Arizona: 1
  • Navajo County, Arizona: 85
  • Coconino County, Arizona: 40
  • San Juan County, Utah: 6

Meanwhile, the state was reporting 315 cases of coronavirus. Those numbers included the Navajo Nation cases in San Juan, McKinley and Cibola counties.

Including the 15 Navajo Nation cases, San Juan County had a total of 32 coronavirus cases.

The Navajo Nation has closed all tribal parks and facilities to the public. The intention of the closure is to minimize the threat to public health and safety due to the COVID-19 virus.

David Scrase, the secretary of the New Mexico Human Services Department, warned that the northwest corner of the state would see a surge in coronavirus cases.

The pandemic prompted facility closures and cancellations throughout the community, including libraries, golf courses, the Farmington Civic Center and museums. State parks, like Navajo Lake State Park, have also closed as the state announced increased restrictions that included limiting the size of gatherings. Navajo Nation tribal parks and facilities also closed to the public.

Red Apple Transit canceled several routes, including the Kirtland and Aztec routes. The governor issued an executive order requiring all people traveling into New Mexico via plane to self-isolate for 14 days.

Schools were canceled and non-essential businesses were ordered to close. The governor also asked people to forego non-essential medical appointments in an effort to save personal protective equipment.

A sign outside the Northern Navajo Medical Center in Shiprock directs people experiencing COVID-19 symptoms on where to go on March 24.

San Juan Regional Medical Center is asking for donations of personal protective equipment, such as N95 masks and surgical masks. Masks can be delivered to the main entrance of the hospital from 5:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. The hospital is also accepting donated sewn masks. The sewn masks should be made with a two-layer construction using tight flannel on the outside and tightly woven cotton, like a pillow case or T-shirt, on the inside. The outer and inner layers should orient so that the design or grain of the fabric is aligned diagonally to each other, according to a press release from the medical center.  The sewn masks will be used for patients in the emergency department in an effort to conserve hospital supplies for the caregivers.

MAP:Where is coronavirus? Interactive map shows cases in New Mexico and beyond

Casinos throughout the Four Corners region closed, including casinos on Navajo Nation, the Ute Mountain Casino and SunRay Park & Casino.

The Farmington Electric Utility System closed its drive-through and customer service center's lobby starting March 25. The customer service representatives can be reached by phone. 

People needing to pay utility bills can do so using the following methods:

Cash, check or money order can be placed in drop boxes at the customer service entrance at 101 N. Browning Parkway. These boxes will be labeled for customer service and new service.

Electronic debit and credit card payments can be made by calling 505-599-1353 and choosing option 1. If customers choose option 0 they can talk to a representative and make debit or credit card payments. Electronic payments can also be made online at fmtn.org.

Customers can mail payments to FEUS, P.O. Box 712569, Denver, CO 80271.

People wanting to connect utility service can fill an application online at http://fmtn.org/182/CustomerService. Those without internet or computer access can call 505-599-1353 and choose option 0. 

New Mexico reported its first coronavirus-related death on March 25. Navajo Nation also saw its first deaths in March. On March 27, the tribe announced two people had died.

Both Navajo Nation and New Mexico instituted stay-at-home orders. Navajo Nation also implemented curfews. The curfew began March 30.

Meanwhile, to the north in Colorado, San Juan County – where Silverton is located – closed its backcountry to non-locals and began ticketing people from outside the county who parked along the mountain passes.

La Plata County, Colorado, saw its first case on March 24.

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