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Navajo Nation reports 13 more COVID-19 cases, 4 more deaths

(Carolyn Kaster | AP file photo) Agathla Peak is seen in the distance beyond the parking lot of Kayenta Health Center on the Navajo reservation in Kayenta, Ariz., on April 18, 2020.

Window Rock, Ariz. • Navajo Nation health officials have reported 13 more cases of COVID-19 and four additional deaths.

That brings the total number of people infected to 9,068 and the known death toll to 450 as of Saturday night.

Tribal health officials said 81,460 people have been tested for the coronavirus and 6,697 have recovered.

The vast majority of people who are diagnosed with COVID-19 recover.

For some people it causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough.

But for some people who contract the virus, especially those who are older or have underlying health conditions, it can cause more severe illness and death.

Late Friday, lawmakers on the Navajo Nation approved a massive spending bill to respond to the coronavirus pandemic that includes money for water projects, power lines, broadband and casino employees who have been laid off.

The Navajo Nation Council passed the nearly $651 million in spending after discussing it for more than 28 hours in a special session over three days.

The money comes from the Navajo Nation’s share of $8 billion federal coronavirus relief funding that was set aside for tribes.