- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
SAN FELIPE PUEBLO — Three pueblos in New Mexico have become COVID-19 pandemic hotspots in Indian Country this week.
On Thursday, Pueblo of San Felipe Governor Anthony Ortiz described the situation on his pueblo as “dire within our community with positive COVID-19 cases” which are rising daily. As of yesterday, Ortiz said there were 54 positive cases on the Pueblo.
The Pueblo of San Felipe is 33 miles northeast of Albuquerque, N.M. The Pueblo of San Felipe consists of approximately 3,700 enrolled tribal members and approximately 68,000 acres.
“I cannot stress enough that everyone must adhere to the stay at home order that I issued recently. Stay at home order means to stay within the house that you currently live in. It does not mean it is ok to visit other relatives or friends residing in other homes,” Ortiz wrote on the pueblo’s website on Thursday.
Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) told KOAT Action News 7, an Albuquerque ABC affiliate, there were a few activities on the San Felipe pueblo where one infected person spread the virus around.
Haaland say while traditional and religious ceremonies are important, tribal citizens need to maintain proper social distancing.
"Some people might think we can still go to these gatherings, we can go to these activities, but that's how this thing gets spread,” Haaland said.
"Indian tribes were behind the eight ball with respect to the infrastructure, the health care, all of those things that we need, and then on top of it we have a pandemic," Haaland continued.
Two other pueblos that have been hit hard with coronavirus cases. The Pueblo of Zuni with 24 confirmed cases and one reported death; the other is the Zia Pueblo with 31 confirmed cases.
All three pueblos have implemented curfews for its residents.
On Wednesday, the Pueblo of Poroaque’s Hilton Santa Fe Buffalo Thunder, in Pojoaque, N.M., just north of Santa Fe began to offer rooms to serve as a temporary quarantine facility for New Mexico tribal citizens waiting for COVID-19 test results.
The largest hotspot in Indian Country is on the Navajo Nation where, as of Thursday night, there were 558 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 22 deaths related to the deadly virus.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsNative News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Rep. Mary Peltola's Reelection Race Still to be Called
Native News Online Post-Election Survey Shows Trump-Harris Split, Reservation Divide
Six Native American Women Making a Difference in Indian Country
Support Independent Indigenous Journalism That Holds Power to Account
With the election now decided, Native News Online is recommitting to our core mission: rigorous oversight of federal Indian policy and its impact on tribal communities.
The previous Trump administration’s record on Indian Country — from the reduction of sacred sites to aggressive energy development on tribal lands — demands heightened vigilance as we enter this new term. Our Indigenous-centered newsroom will provide unflinching coverage of policies affecting tribal sovereignty, sacred site protection, MMIR issues, water rights, Indian health, and economic sovereignty.
This critical watchdog journalism requires resources. Your support, in any amount, helps maintain our independent, Native-serving news coverage. Every contribution helps keep our news free for all of our relatives. Please donate today to ensure Native News Online can thrive and deliver impactful, independent journalism.
