FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2020

70 new positive cases of COVID-19 and 4,075 negative results reported

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The total number of positive tests for COVID-19 has reached 1,197 for the Navajo Nation as of Saturday – an increase of 70 positive cases since Friday, according to the Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area Indian Health Service, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center. The report also includes 4,075 total negative test results as of Saturday. There remains a total of 44 confirmed deaths, with an average age of 66-years-old, related to COVID-19 as reported on Friday.

The 1,197 confirmed positive cases include the following counties:

• Navajo County, AZ: 321
• Apache County, AZ: 187
• Coconino County, AZ: 206
• McKinley County, NM: 261
• San Juan County, NM: 168
• Cibola County, NM: 14
• San Juan County, UT: 14
• Socorro County, NM: 13
• Sandoval County, NM: 13

The Navajo Nation’s 57-hour weekend curfew remains in effect until Monday, April 20 at 5:00 a.m. (MDT). The Navajo Police Department continues to enforce the weekend curfew with road checkpoints in various communities. They will also issue citations for curfew violators, which may include up to $1,000 in fines and/or 30 days in jail. 

“We are very appreciative to all of our Navajo Police Officers who are working hard to protect all of us. Let’s help them by staying home and complying with the weekend curfew. Let’s stay home and bring the numbers down and to protect and save the lives of our relatives, friends, and neighbors. Please abide by the orders and continue to pray for our people,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

Last weekend, the Navajo Police Department issued approximately 119 citations for individuals who violated the curfew. Stricter provisions are now in place for businesses as well. 

“We will eventually begin to flatten the curve, but the time is not now to let up on staying home. Please continue to be diligent and to care for your loved ones, especially children and elders. We are working hard to ensure we get more resources and equipment. In the next few weeks, we expect to see increased numbers as we approach the peak of the pandemic. Our prayers are with all of our first responders and all communities,” said Vice President Lizer.

For more information including reports, helpful prevention tips, and more resources, please visit the Navajo Department of Health’s COVID-19 website at http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. To contact the main Navajo Health Command Operations Center, please call (928) 871-7014.

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