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Virus rampages across vast Navajo lands, close-knit familiesBC-US-Virus Outbreak-Navajo Nation

Posted at 8:08 AM, May 11, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-11 11:08:15-04

TUBA CITY, Arizona (AP) — The Navajo reservation spans three western U.S. states and has some of the highest rates of coronavirus in the country. With roughly 175,000 people living there, the tribe has seen 3,122 cases. At least 100 people have died.

The numbers continue to grow. Handwashing and isolation are the most basic measures to fight the spread of the virus. But that can be difficult when many families live in close quarters and don't have running water.

If Navajos are susceptible to the virus’ spread in part because they are so closely knit, that’s also how many believe they will beat it.