WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer were informed Tuesday by the Navajo Department of Health that two members of the Navajo Nation have tested positive for COVID-19.

The first confirmed positive test came from a 46-year-old individual, with a recent travel history, who resides in the community of Chilchinbeto, Ariz. This individual reported their symptoms to the Kayenta Health Center. From there, the individual was taken to a hospital in Phoenix, Ariz. where the test was conducted by the state’s Department of Health.

Health and emergency officials are taking the proper precautions to screen and isolate the person’s family...

Facility closures, updated stats, preparedness drills



The Gallup City Council held a special meeting March 16 to discuss the fallout to the rise of COVID-19, or coronavirus, specifically how numerous city facilities have been affected.




City Attorney Curtis Hayes reiterated an order from March 12 by Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to restrict what have been classified as mass gatherings, or where groups of more than 50 people converge. The order also called on state restaurants and bars to operate at no more than 50 percent capacity.




Hayes also mentioned the city facilities that would be closed until further notice, which include: El Morro Theatre and Events Center, Red Rock...

New cases, school closures, precautionary measures

 

As the growing concerns mount over the spread of COVID-19, or coronavirus, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called a press conference on March 13 to address a number of relevant topics.




“We want to continue to raise the level of awareness [of the virus] because in doing so, we are able to manage this crisis in a prepared, non-panicked environment,” Lujan Grisham said.




NEW CASES




The conference opened with the announcement of four more confirmed COVID-19 cases across New Mexico. The new cases include:

A Bernalillo County man in his mid-50s with household contact with a previous presumptive positive resident. He is at...

New councilor, new municipal judge; mayoral runoff could be imminent

Folks crammed into the City Council Chambers after the polls closed March 3 to hear the unofficial results of the City of Gallup Regular Municipal Election.

Four positions were about to be decided: Dist. 2 Councilor, Dist. 4 Councilor, Municipal Judge, and the Mayor of Gallup.

Three of those elections delivered a clear winner, but a run-off will likely be required to determine the new mayor.

The canvass for the Municipal Officer Election is slated for March 10 before the McKinley County Board of Commissioners, according to City Clerk Alfred Abeita.

Abeita also said if a runoff election is necessary...