WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) - The Navajo Nation on Thursday reported five new COVID-19 cases and five deaths.
The tribe had reported no deaths in three of the previous four days and six of the last 11 days.
Tribal health officials said the latest figures bring the total number of cases since the pandemic started to 30,108 with the known death toll at 1,252.
The number of infections is thought to be far higher than reported because many people have not been tested, and studies suggest people can be infected with the virus without feeling sick.
The Navajo Nation covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.
“Our health care experts constantly caution the public and encourage our people to stay home as much as possible, wear masks, avoid large in-person gatherings, and to practice social distancing,” tribal President Jonathan Nez said in a statement. “But if our people choose to do otherwise, then it’s more likely that we will have a spike in new infections. Please adhere to the advice and of our public health experts.”
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