The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2020

Navajo Nation’s positive tests for COVID-19 reaches 49

WINDOW ROCK – On Tuesday evening, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer were informed of 10 additional positive COVID-19 tests by the Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area IHS, bringing the overall total to 49 cases for Navajo people. This includes 30 cases in Navajo County, seven in Apache County, six in Coconino County in Arizona, four in McKinley County, and two in San Juan County in New Mexico.  

A Public Health Emergency “Stay at Home Order” remains in effect requiring all residents of the Navajo Nation to stay home and self-isolated. All non-essential businesses to close to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

“To protect ourselves, our families, and communities, we need to stay home to beat the virus. Every person must remain home unless you need food, medicine, or other essential items, but beyond that, we shouldn’t have anyone traveling or going out into the public. If you need essential items, send only one person and use every precaution available, such as taking sanitizing wipes or hand sanitizers into stores,” said President Nez.

“Stay home, stay safe, save lives! As leaders, we continue to pray for the individuals and families affected by the virus, and we pray for a speedy recovery,” said Vice President Lizer.

On Tuesday, President Nez and Vice President Lizer continued spreading the word on the ground as they distributed information to the public and urged those on the road to return home safely, and only travel if necessary for food, medicine, or other essential items.

On Monday, the Navajo Department of Emergency Management, in coordination with the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Office, successfully issued an Emergency Alert through text message urging all Navajo residents to stay home to prevent the spread of the virus. The system will also be used to issue AMBER Alerts, Silver Alerts, Weather Alerts, and Missing Endangered Person Alerts. Supplies are also arriving from the Strategic National Stockpile, and being delivered to health care centers on the Navajo Nation.

All residents of the Navajo Nation can register to receive alerts from the Navajo Department of Emergency Management by texting “NavajoNation” to 888777or registering online at http://www.nnalert.com.

The Navajo Police Department is also on the ground informing communities using public address systems from police units. If Chilchinbeto residents have questions or need assistance, please call ‪(928) 871-6271. To contact the main Navajo Health Command Operations Center, please call ‪(928) 871-7014.

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