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Navajo officials issue health advisory for uncontrolled COVID-19 spread in 30 communities

A sign urging safety measures during the coronavirus pandemic is displayed in Teesto, Ariz., on the Navajo Nation on Feb. 11, 2021.
Felicia Fonseca
/
AP Photo
A sign urging safety measures during the coronavirus pandemic is displayed in Teesto, Ariz., on the Navajo Nation on Feb. 11, 2021.

Navajo Nation health officials Monday issued a health advisory notice for 30 communities because of the uncontrolled spread of COVID-19.

It’s based on reported infections between Dec. 10 and 23 and includes Cameron, Kayenta, Tuba City and Ganado.

The Navajo Department of Health reported 12 new known cases of COVID and no recent deaths on Monday.

Tribal officials say, like the rest of the U.S., infections are mostly among the unvaccinated.

No cases of the omicron variant have yet been detected on the Navajo Nation, but leaders say it’s spreading in nearby communities.

Sixty percent of the reservation’s total population has been fully vaccinated for the virus.

Nearly 1,600 people on the Navajo Nation have died from COVID since the beginning of the pandemic.