The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 3, 2020

5,527 recoveries, 64 new cases, and four more deaths reported as 57-hour weekend lockdown set to take effect

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — On Friday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 64 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and two more deaths. The total number of deaths has reached 375.

Reports from all 12 health care facilities on and near the Navajo Nation indicate that approximately 5,527 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 58,145 people have been tested for COVID-19. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation is 7,733.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 1,973
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 664
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 487
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,288
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,094
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,247
• Tuba City Service Unit: 673
• Winslow Service Unit: 303

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

The Navajo Police Department and the New Mexico National Guard will enforce the 57-hour weekend lockdown, which begins on Friday, July 3 at 8:00 p.m. until Monday, July 6 at 5:00 a.m. This will be the first of three weekend lockdowns to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation.

“Our numbers would be much higher without the weekend lockdowns and without the mask requirement — we have the data to support it. We are following the advice of our Nation’s health care experts and it has led to the flattening of the curve. Please be safe, make smart decisions for yourselves and your families, and stay home this holiday weekend. As the First Americans, let us remember our military men and women, police officers, fire fighters, nurses, EMT’s, and many others in prayer as we celebrate our freedom,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

The Nez-Lizer Administration reminds the public that there is a stage 2 fire restriction in place that prohibits the use of fireworks, open fires, and trash burning to prevent more wildfires. On Friday, the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 reported that the Wood Springs 2 Fire has grown to 11,857 acres and is now 17-percent contained.

“Please remember our first responders this holiday weekend. They do not get a break and many are away from their families. Between the COVID-19 pandemic and the Wood Springs 2 Fire, our first responders are spread thin, so please help them by staying home and staying safe. Please enjoy the holiday weekend at home with your loved ones and keep praying for our frontline warriors,” said Vice President Myron 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 at http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. For COVID-19 related questions and information, call (928) 871-7014.

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