COVID-19 has claimed new victims in San Juan County, with the death toll growing to 35 local residents who have passed away with the virus since the pandemic hit in March 2020.
Three fatalities occurred in December, including a woman in her 30s from the Blanding area, a man in his 40s from the Montezuma Creek area, and a woman in her 40s from the Montezuma Creek area.

Distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine is beginning to roll out in San Juan County. Officials at local health care centers expect to receive the vaccine this week (after the press deadline).

COVID-19 numbers continue to grow in San Juan County, but vaccine distribution to health care workers and those at highest risk for the disease is coming into view.
The most recent figures from San Juan Public Health show 1,304 total cases in the county since March, representing 127 new cases in one week. Total cases have impacted around nine percent of the county population.

The holidays will surely be different this year, given concerns about big gatherings during the pandemic. Indulging in large meals and lots of treats is one tradition, however, that most of us will continue – and perhaps even seek comfort in as we wrap up this stressful year.

The list of COVID-19 fatalities in San Juan County grew this week, with the 33rd local resident falling victim to the pandemic.
A woman in her 50s from the Monument Valley / Navajo Mountain area succumbed to the effects of the coronavirus in recent days.
According to public health officials, she suffered from underlying health conditions and was hospitalized at the time of her death.

A man in his 80s from the Monticello area recently passed away, marking the 31st victim of the COVID-19 virus in San Juan County.
The pandemic first arrived in San Juan County eight months ago, in March, 2020.
Since that time, more than 1,000 San Juan County residents have tested positive for the virus, representing nearly seven percent of the total population.

COVID-19 is still impacting San Juan County as the number of local cases of the worldwide pandemic continues to grow.
In the one week between November 10 and November 17, 67 county residents tested positive for COVID-19 and there are currently 130 active cases.
The number of active cases more than doubled in the Montezuma Creek / Aneth area, from 17 to 35 and grew slightly in the Blanding area from 43 to 47.

by David Boyle
News Director
There are now 107 active COVID-19 cases in San Juan County, down nine cases from 116 last week.
San Juan County Health District Director Kirk Benge says after increased quarantine and social distancing efforts, cases are leveling off in Monticello. Cases are up slightly in the central part of the county, including Blanding, White Mesa, Aneth, and Montezuma Creek.

Active COVID-19 cases in San Juan County are now at 116, with half of those cases coming from Monticello.
Monticello increased by ten cases over the past week going from 47 to 57. Blanding also saw an increase of ten cases from 30 to 40. The Montezuma Creek and Aneth area decreased from 18 to 15.

Active COVID-19 cases now top 100 once again in San Juan County, and Monticello leads the way with a second straight week of increasing by at least 20 cases.
On October 13, Monticello had three active cases. Last week, the number rose to 26, and on October 27 there were 47 confirmed COVID cases in Monticello.

COVID-19 cases are back on the rise in San Juan County, with Monticello seeing a single week increase of 23 active cases.
San Juan Public Health reports an increase of 33 cases over the past week, totaling 62 cases in the county.
Monticello saw the biggest increase, going from three active cases to 26 in one week.

According to the US Census Bureau, approximately 252,000 people live in Washington, Iron, Kane, Garfield, and Beaver counties. The five counties make up a single health district known as the Southwestern Utah Health District.
In contrast, the population of San Juan County is estimated at 15,000.

The number of active COVID-19 cases continues to drop in San Juan County, falling from 35 on August 26 to 19 cases on September 2.
Of 19 active cases, six are in the Blanding area (16 last week), six cases are in Monticello area (six last week), three in Montezuma Creek area (nine), two in Mexican Hat area (zero) and two in the Monument Valley area (four). None are listed in La Sal or Bluff.

A new study is tracking the prevalence of COVID-19 in Monticello and Blanding by monitoring sewage from the community.
The virus that causes the disease is shed in feces by infected individuals.
A study performed in spring by the local Universities and the Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) found that virus concentrations in sewage can be measured by collecting a sample at the inlet of sewage treatment plants.

COVID-19 claimed a 26th victim in the past week when a San Juan County resident, a woman in her 70s, passed away in a long-term care facility.
The number of active cases plummeted in the past week, falling from 118 on August 11 to 64 on August 18.