The Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 15, 2020

108 new cases of COVID-19, no additional deaths reported as 57-hour weekend lockdown set to take effect

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Navajo Department of Health in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service reported 108 new cases of COVID-19 for the Navajo Nation. The total number of deaths remains at 127 as previously reported on Thursday. Preliminary reports from a few health care facilities indicate that approximately 519 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, with more reports still pending. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation has reached 3,740. 

The Navajo Nation’s 57-hour weekend lockdown is set to take effect at 8:00 p.m. on Friday through Monday, which includes the closure of all businesses to deter traveling and to keep people home and safe from the COVID-19 virus. 

“Stay home and stay safe! People are wondering when there will be a vaccine for COVID-19, but we already have one and that’s staying home and practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus. It’s discouraging to see many people traveling on roads and going to border towns, but there is also a majority of people who are listening to the health care experts and staying home as much as possible. Let’s think of our elders and those with underlying conditions before we go anywhere,” said President Nez. 

The Navajo Nation’s 57-hour weekend lockdown requires all residents to remain at home except essential workers, first responders, and health care workers. Essential businesses, including stores, gas stations, restaurants, drive-thru food establishments, hay vendors, and other vendors, shall cease all operations during the lockdown. 

“Please protect yourselves and your loved ones and please hold each other accountable when it comes to staying home and complying with the weekend lockdown. We should not see any travelers on the road except for first responders and essential employees. Let’s do our part to flatten the curve and beat COVID-19. Please pray for all of those who are sick, fighting for their lives, and for the families who have lost loved ones,” said Vice President Lizer. 

During the weekend lockdown, Navajo residents can leave their homesites only in cases of safety, health, or medical emergencies. The Health Operations Command Center urges anyone who feels they might have signs and symptoms of COVID-19 to immediately contact their medical provider. 

On Thursday, the Nez-Lizer Administration delivered food, water, clothing, protective masks, and more essential items to approximately 511 Navajo families in the communities of Whitehorse Lake, Whiterock, Coyote Canyon, and Mexican Springs in New Mexico. 

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. 

https://www.facebook.com/NezLizer2018/photos/a.1845200979078770/2499755946956600/?type=3&theater