The Pueblo of Zuni confirmed four additional deaths from COVID-19 among its citizens in New Mexico, bringing the total to 17 since the start of the pandemic.
The 14th death was confirmed on June 30 and the 15th on July 1. The 16th and 17th were confirmed on July 6.
“Our hearts go out to the family and everyone who is impacted by the tragic loss of a tribal member,” Governor Val Panteah said on July 6.
As of June 29, the tribe has seen 335 cases of COVID-19. Of those, 108 have recovered.
Overall, the Indian Health Service facility at Zuni has confirmed 446 cases as of June 29. The service unit also provides care to residents of the nearby Ramah Navajo Chapter.
Both Zuni and Ramah are near Gallup, a border town that has long been considered a coronavirus hotspot. According to the New Mexico Department of Health, McKinley County has seen 3,514 COVID-19 cases as of July 7. Nearly 78 percent of the county population is Native American.
The two tribal communities have enacted restrictions in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
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