By L. Parsons The Navajo County Board of Supervisors met last week to discuss the uptick in COVID-19 cases in the county. Public Health Director Janelle Linn began by explaining that cases in the county are once again on the rise. For example, according to Linn, the entire month of July of this year saw 304 reported cases of the virus while the week of Oct. 10-17 had 324 reported cases off tribal lands. In the week prior to that the count was 244. Linn said, “Of those cases this week, 62 were in vaccinated individuals, however, vaccinated individuals continue to experience mild disease and symptoms. Hospitalizations are also increasing and the average age of those hospitalized is 63. We have consistently seen between two and five deaths each week off tribal lands.” She mentioned the number of cases reported to the county that were directly tied to schools. “Last week we had 69 cases either in a staff member or student, compared to 24 the week before. We are seeing a significant rise in our schools. Further, 43% of our cases last week were in individuals under the age of 40 and the average age was 44.” She said, “If we continue on the path we are on, we will surpass those numbers. We have had 83 cases reported as of 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 26, for this week, one hospitalization and four deaths.” Unvaccinated individuals, she explained, are making up the largest percentage of positive cases at this time. “The spread of infection is primarily in unvaccinated communities. We are encouraging people to stay home if they are ill, even if they are only experiencing what they think is fall allergies. We are also encouraging vaccinations and even boosters now that those have been approved.” Vaccine coverage rate is 38% for off tribal lands in Navajo County. That, according to Linn, has led the county to being one of the highest infected parts of the country once again. “We are significantly higher, things have leveled off for many parts of the country and they are starting to descend from this third wave and we are not experiencing that. We continue to significantly and sharply increase and I believe our vaccination rate is part of the reason for that.” Linn said, “For those who received the Moderna vaccine, and it has been at least six months, they can now get a booster. It is recommended for those over the age of 65 or over 18 who live or work in situations that put them at risk including front line workers. The Johnson and Johnson product is also available as a booster for those over the age of 18. We are also positioning vaccine with different vaccine partners for when we get an emergency use recommendation for those ages 5-11 for anyone who is interested.” The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did approve use of the Pfizer vaccine for children under 12 on Tuesday. In other business, and in the absence of Supervisor Fern Benally, the board: * Approved the sale of 19 back tax land parcels sold over the counter in the amount of $11,232. * Adopted a resolution canceling the Nov. 2 election for the Porter Mountain, Ski-Hi and Pinedale domestic water improvement districts and appointing candidates or deeming the positions vacant due to a lack of candidates. * Approved agreements between Navajo County and the Porter Creek Domestic Water Improvement District, the Town of Snowflake and the Woodruff Fire District to conduct elections. * Approved an amendment extending a contract for legal services with Moore Law, PLLC for an additional year until Nov. 9, 2022. This is a one year contract with the option to renew up to four additional one year terms. * Approved contracts signed by the county manager with Jon M. Froke Urban Planning, LLC for planning and zoning services in the amount of $18,000 and with the Arizona Governor’s Office of Highway Safety for a grant in the amount of $15,819 for the Heber-Overgaard Fire District. * Approved an agreement between the county flood control district and the Arizona Department of Water Resources. The purpose of the agreement is to grant the county monies not to exceed $150,000 for out-of-pocket repair and mitigation expenses related to the Millet Swale Reservoir specific to dam safety and emergency structure operation. * Heard a quarterly report from White Mountain Lakes County Recreation Improvement District Director Mark Honberger. * Recognized Navajo County employees for their continued service to the county including Ashton Lesueur with probation, five years; Michelle Marquardt with facilities, five years; Ernest Garcia with jail operations, 10 years; Alicia Hunter with the Superior Court, 10 years; Monte Reidhead with public works, 20 years; and Glenda Walters with the Superior Court, 30 years. The next meeting of the Navajo County Board of Supervisors will be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 9, in the board meeting room, located at 100 E. Code Talkers Drive.
