First coronavirus vaccines set to arrive in San Juan County

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).

Utah Navajo Health System reports they will receive enough of the Pfizer vaccine for all their workers and will be ready to inoculate care facility residents and staff this week. Vaccinating EMS, Fire and Law Enforcement is expected to begin next week. It will take months before it is available to the entire county population.

The most recent figures from San Juan Public Health show 1,365 total cases in the county since March, representing 61 new cases in one week. Nearly ten percent of the county population have had the virus.

There are currently 263 active cases in the county, a decrease of seven in one week.

In total, 134 local residents have been hospitalized with COVID-19 symptoms. The 9.8 percent local hospitalization rate exceeds state and national rates.