The Pueblo of Laguna continues to see an increase COVID-19 cases on the reservation in New Mexico, Governor Wilfred Herrera said in his weekly update.
“It’s disheartening to say that we are now dealing with community spread,” Herrera said in a video message on November 5, 2020. “Yesterday, it was reported that we had 51 active cases, with 51 households in quarantine and isolation. Within 24hrs, these numbers have continued to increase.”
As a result, 59 households are in quarantine or isolation, Herrera said. Some 238 people are affected.
“In closing, with the recent increase in COVID-19 positive cases, I am now considering that I may need to reimplement some of the original closures established in the first executive order,” Herrera said. “This is to help contain the virus and to further prevent community spread that we are now experiencing in the Pueblo.”
In a separate statement on November 5, Herrera reported 10 COVID-19 cases as the Laguna Rainbow Center, the elder care facility on the reservation.
Laguna is located within the Albuquerque Area of the Indian Health Service (IHS). The region has seen a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases over the last 7 days, according to data from November 4, the most recent available.
According to Herrera, the IHS has cut back operations at the Acoma-Canoncito-Laguna Hospital, which serves the Pueblo of Laguna, the Pueblo of Acoma and a nearly Navajo Nation community. The emergency room and urgent care are only available for 14 hours a day, he said.
“This new information raises many questions to make sure our community members are provided quality healthcare when they need it,” Herrera said.
Pueblo of Laguna: https://www.lagunapueblo-nsn.gov/COVID-19.aspx