Coronavirus

New Mexico Governor Cites Concerns About Tribal Nations Amid Outbreak

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham is concerned the coronavirus could "wipe out" tribal nations.

New Mexico Governor Cites Concerns About Tribal Nations Amid Outbreak
Morgan Lee / AP
SMS

As infection rates rise, New Mexico's governor is citing concerns that the coronavirus could "wipe out" some tribal nations.

According to ABC News, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham told President Trump in a conference call that she is "very worried" about "incredible spikes" in cases of the virus in the Navajo Nation.

The Navajo Nation is the largest reservation in the U.S. expanding across nearly 28,000 square miles in sections of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. In New Mexico, there are 23 tribes located across the state.

As of Monday, the Navajo Nation reported more than 140 confirmed cases and five related deaths. The New Mexico Department of Health says that more than 280 cases of the virus have been confirmed in the state, as well as 4 related deaths. 

New Mexico officials are currently seeking assistance from the federal government in securing a 248-bed U.S. Army combat support hospital in Albuquerque.