Allegations of case count cover-ups, improper cleaning

Concerns about the dangers of COVID-19 and Gallup McKinley County school classrooms have led to numerous allegations that the school district is hiding the number of COVID cases and school classrooms are not being properly cleaned.

Those concerns were broadcast by an Albuquerque television station Nov. 17 using unnamed sources.

One source who contacted the Gallup Sun and did not wish to be named, said GMCS Superintendent Michael Hyatt is covering up the number of confirmed COVID cases in Gallup public schools.

WHAT DO THE NUMBERS SAY?

The New Mexico Environment Department Rapid Response COVID-19 Watchlist shows 222 positive...

The quality of education a student receives has come under scrutiny as the COVID-19 pandemic rages on. The New Mexico Public Education Department has stated they are aiming to re-engage students who have fallen off in their studies for any reason. In addition to providing an education for students, the state also has to make sure that education is sticking with their students.

A quality education was the focus of a presentation given to the Gallup-McKinley County Schools Board of Education during their Nov. 16 meeting. Ashley Ryan, director of curriculum and assessment for Gallup-McKinley County Schools spoke to the board about first quarter student assessment trend data.

Students...

The new surge in COVID-19 cases has led to many states imposing stricter closures and measures aimed to keep people home and safe. But this surge also means essential employees face a higher risk of being exposed to the virus.

To that end, the Gallup City Council held a special meeting Nov. 13 to discuss using $918,000 in CARES Act funds to provide hazard pay for essential city employees.

City Manager Maryann Ustick said the CARES funds were meant to reimburse the city for COVID-related expenses such as PPE and plastic barriers, and it frees up budgeted city funds to help the city weather the financial strains created by the pandemic.

While McKinley County received $16 million in...

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 146 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and two more deaths on Nov. 17. The total number of deaths is now 605 as of Nov. 17. Reports indicate that 8,011 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 141,166 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 13,744, including two delayed unreported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

Chinle Service Unit: 3,002

Crownpoint Service Unit: 1,494

Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 1,385

Gallup Service Unit...