The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2020

5,068 recoveries, 94 new cases, 12 more deaths related to COVID-19 reported as 57-hour weekend lockdown remains in effect 

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — On Saturday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 94 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and 12 more deaths. The total number of deaths is 362 as of Saturday. Reports from all 12 health care facilities on and near the Navajo Nation indicate that approximately 5,068 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 53,913 people have been tested for COVID-19. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation is 7,414.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 1,918
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 656
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 458
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,250
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,061
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,185
• Tuba City Service Unit: 621
• Winslow Service Unit: 257

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

The Navajo Nation’s 57-hour weekend lockdown remains in effect until Monday, June 29 at 5:00 a.m. and includes the closure of all businesses.

“Wearing masks is helping to flatten the curve. Let’s pray for those in surrounding states that are seeing spikes in COVID-19. The Navajo Nation is no longer the hotspot in the country or in any state. Some states are struggling and it’s those that relaxed their precautions early on including the state of Arizona. We know that some are getting frustrated with the weekend lockdowns, but the alternative would be to reopen and then we would likely see a spike in new cases. We cannot let that happen. Weekend lockdowns are slowing down the virus. For those who are choosing to leave the Nation on weekends, please think of your loved ones especially your elders,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

In areas of Arizona off the Navajo Nation, health care facilities continue to see large increases in new cases and hospital visits and bed usage with some hospitals implementing surge plans. President Nez and Vice President Myon Lizer continue to state that the Navajo Nation’s health care system cannot withstand another wave of COVID-19.

“Our health care system is already stretched thin and our resources are very limited. If we had another wave of COVID-19 our frontline workers would bear the burden first and foremost. Please continue to pray for our people, our first responders, and many others who are fighting alongside us during this pandemic,” said Vice President Lizer.

For more information, including isolation sites 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.

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