Phoenix • The Navajo Nation reports 20 more cases of the coronavirus on its sprawling reservation and an rural Arizona county is no longer among the few without cases of the disease.
Navajo tribal officials announced Wednesday night that the number of cases on the reservation had risen to 69, up from 49, with 43 in Navajo County in rural northeastern Arizona.
The tribe reported 14 other cases elsewhere in northeastern Arizona and 12 in northwestern New Mexico The tribe did not report any cases in the portion of the reservation in southeastern Utah.
Health officials in La Paz County in western Arizona on Wednesday said the two people with the coronavirus were recovering at home. No additional information was released.
The La Paz County cases left only two lightly populated eastern Arizona counties — Gila and Greenlee — without reported cases,
Arizona counties with reported cases are subject to a state order to close bars, indoor gyms and certain other businesses and to allow restaurants to provide only dine-in, takeout and pickup service.
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said the number of cases on the reservation will continue to increase until people abide by the tribe’s order for people to stay at home.
