The Navajo Nation reported no COVID-19 cases and “no recent deaths” on March 22.

The news was posted to Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer’s Facebook page. They cited the figures from the Navajo Department of Health.

“Thanks to the dedication and commitment of the Navajo people, health care workers, frontline warriors, and many others, the Navajo Nation has no new cases of COVID-19 reported,” Nez said in a statement. “Once again, the Navajo Nation is exemplifying what can be accomplished when we listen to the public health experts and work together. Our hard work is paying off and our prayers are being answered.”

The developments are all the more significant, given that this is not the first time the Navajo Nation has seen no reported cases. The last time was back in September, the first for the Nation since the pandemic began.

As of March 22, the total number of deaths remained 1,233 as previously reported on Saturday, the press release stated. Reports indicate that 16,331 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 251,270 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 30,007.

The Navajo Nation reports that the Gallup Service Unit has 4,745 positive cases of coronavirus, the press release said.

In a prepared statement March 22, Nez offered some advice to his Navajo residents, who live in multiple states.

“While today’s numbers are to be commended, the fight against COVID-19 continues on. Variants continue to be of great concern across the country, especially as we see more and more people travel including students on spring break,” he said. “Please continue to stay home as much as possible, wear one or two masks in public and near others who do not reside under the same household as you, avoid large crowds and gatherings, practice social distancing, and wash your hands often.”

McKinley County Sheriff's Office is handling a three-vehicle collision on I-40 eastbound at the 9.8 mile marker, west of Gallup.

Traffic is being diverted off I-40 at Exit 8, using the frontage road to go around the crash and return to the interstate at Exit 16.

Drive with caution and watch for traffic in the area. Expect delays until the roadway is cleared.

The Gallup Police Department and the FBI are still looking for a man who robbed Washington Federal bank on 221 W. Aztec Ave. April 16.

Gallup Police Department Cap. Marinda Spencer said the man entered the lobby of Washington Federal Bank just after it opened at 9 am and pulled out a gun, demanding money. The man then received an unspecified sum of money and left the bank, heading eastbound on Aztec Avenue.

No one was injured and the entire incident took only a few minutes, said Spencer.

Once he left the bank, he got on a bicycle and headed east, Spencer said.

Gallup Police converged on the area shortly after. Bank officials punched their panic alarm at 9:27 am and began searching for the man but were unable to find him, said Spencer.

Spencer said the suspect is a light complected male with dark hair that was pulled back in a ponytail. He was wearing a grey sweatshirt, jeans, and black and white shoes.

If you have any information, or may have sighted the suspect, call Metro Dispatch at (505) 722-2002.

Some of St. Patrick's Day promises to be a little dry in the areas of 112 W. Hill, 110 W. Aztec Ave. and 200, 230, 306, 308 S. Second Street due to repairs being made on a broken water line in the area.

The Gallup Water Department will need to shut off water in order to do their work safely.

Dry faucets and low water pressure may continue until 3 pm.

Questions can be directed to Utility Dispatch at (505) 863-1200 or to Nicole Hawthorne with the Water Department at (505) 879-5722.