The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2020

3,802 recoveries, 69 new cases, and 11 more deaths related to COVID-19 reported as health care experts warn against consuming hand sanitizer

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Wednesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 69 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and 11 more deaths. The total number of deaths is 347 as of Wednesday. Reports from 11 health care facilities on and near the Navajo Nation indicate that 3,802 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, with one health care facility report still pending. 51,144 people have been tested for COVID-19. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation is 7,157.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 1,859
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 648
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 432
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,215
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,034
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,158
• Tuba City Service Unit: 588
• Winslow Service Unit: 215

* Eight residences with COVID-19 positive cases are not specific enough to place them accurately in a Service Unit.

The Navajo Nation’s public health emergency orders, including requiring the use of protective masks in public and the daily curfews from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m., are still in effect throughout the Navajo Nation. 

“Our young people need to remember that this virus can affect anyone, not only our elders. Please think of our elders and those with underlying conditions before you travel or go into public. There’s no need to go into a store for a bag of chips or bottle of soda and put yourself and others at risk of COVID-19. This virus is showing that it can and will infect anyone of any age and it is proving to be fatal across all ages. Let’s be diligent and stay home as much as possible and please keep praying for our Nation,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

Health care experts are reporting cases of people drinking hand sanitizer, which has led to hospital visits and several are currently in critical condition. Swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause alcohol poisoning. Hand sanitizer should be stored out of reach of children and should be used with adult supervision. Do not use hand sanitizers that contain methanol. Substantial methanol exposure can result in nausea, vomiting, headache, blurred vision, permanent blindness, seizures, coma, permanent damage to the nervous system, or death. 

“We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, but we have to continue praying and remain hopeful. Thank you to all of our first responders and frontline heroes who continue to work around the clock to save lives. You are the answers to our prayers,” said Vice President Lizer.

For more information, including helpful prevention tips, and resources to help stop the spread of COVID-19, visit the Navajo Department of Health’s COVID-19 website http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. For COVID-19 related questions and information, call (928) 871-7014.