FARMINGTON – For the first day since September 2020, San Juan County went on record as reporting zero new COVID-19 cases and zero related deaths Monday.

The New Mexico Department of Health issues an update each day with a breakdown of new cases and deaths by county. On Monday, San Juan County wasn’t even named in the list.

Spokesman for the County Executive Office Devin Neeley said the county had “no reason to believe the numbers are wrong,” and that they hope they are correct.

The “great sign” comes within just days of the one-year anniversary of COVID-19 cases discovered in New Mexico.

“It is a great sign to see no new cases reported (Monday) in San Juan County,” said San Juan County Manager Mike Stark. “We are seeing the payoff of many months of COVID-safe practices to protect ourselves and our loved ones.”

Stark warned that despite the report of zero new cases or deaths, people still need to follow COVID-19-safe practices.

“One day with no cases doesn’t mean that the pandemic is over,” Stark said. “With continued COVID-safe practices and distribution of vaccines, we hope to see a future full of zero cases and zero COVID-related death days.”

mmitchell@durangoherald.com