The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2020

95 new cases of COVID-19, two more deaths, and 1,235 recoveries 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 95 new cases of COVID-19 for the Navajo Nation. The total number of deaths has reached 149 as of Friday. Preliminary reports from a few health care facilities indicate that approximately 1,235 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 4,529. 

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. 

“The Navajo Nation is testing our citizens at a very high rate per capita, more so than any state in the country. Over 14-percent of the people living on the Navajo Nation have been tested and that’s why we have a high number of positive cases. We’re doing our best to flatten the curve, so let’s think of the health and safety of others and stay home this weekend. Stay home, stay safe, save lives,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan 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 Myron Lizer. 

On Friday, the Nez-Lizer Administration delivered food, water, clothing, protective masks, and more essential items to 582 Navajo families in the communities of Navajo Mountain, Tonalea, Coal Mine, and Cameron in Arizona.

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.