Coronavirus cases and deaths rise in the Navajo Nation

Cases now approach 2,600 with nearly 80 deaths

WINDOW ROCK, N.M. (KYMA, KECY) - Navajo Nation officials reported six more deaths from coronavirus Wednesday. That raises the total number of fatalities on the reservation to 79.

Officials also confirmed another 85 cases of the illness. At least 2,599 tribal members are now infected with the virus.

Coronavirus has hit the Navajo nation hard. The tribe has implemented curfews to try to protect its members from the illness. However, it continues to spread in spite of the vast distances between tribal communities. The reservation covers parts of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.

President Donald Trump says the Nation will soon get $600-million in CARES Act funding to help it combat coronavirus. Tribes across the country say they have yet to receive their share of the stimulus money.

By March 20, the Navajo Nation had already spent more than $4-million on virus response measures. Leaders say continued spending is depleting the tribe's general fund.