The Grand Canyon has become the latest national park to shut after local officials backed the Navajo people’s call to suspend tourism in the canyon and halt the spread of coronavirus within its community.

The closure made the Grand Canyon the last major national park to shut during the coronavirus pandemic, despite the move being backed by county and tribal officials. . . .

Visitors headed to the park’s East Rim must drive through the tribe’s reservation using a state highway. . . .

Tribals officials said on Wednesday the number of confirmed coronavirus cases had reached 214, with seven deaths. The nearest hospital is more than an hours’ drive from the Navajo Reservation.