Window Rock, Ariz. • Navajo Nation health officials say the confirmation of a new death brings the number of fatalities from coronavirus to 500.
The Navajo Nation on Friday night reported the additional death as well as 14 more confirmed cases of COVID-19.
That brings the total number of people infected to 9,780. But that includes 165 cases that occurred between April 6 and Aug. 12 and were recently identified as COVID-19 related.
Navajo Department of Health officials said 94,099 people have been tested for the coronavirus and 7,032 have recovered.
The Navajo Nation lifted its stay-at-home order on Aug. 16, but is asking residents to leave their homes only for emergencies or essential activities.
Much of the Navajo Nation has been closed since March as the coronavirus swept through the vast reservation that extends into New Mexico, Utah and Arizona.
The 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 others who contract the virus, especially those who are older or have underlying health conditions, it can cause more severe illness and death.
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