The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 7, 2020

5,650 recoveries, 27 new cases, and one more death related to COVID-19 reported

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — On Tuesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 27 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and one more death. The total number of deaths has reached 379 as of Tuesday.

Reports from all 12 health care facilities on and near the Navajo Nation indicate that approximately 5,650 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 60,323 people have been tested for COVID-19. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation is 7,941.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 1,998
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 682
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 501
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,328
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,138
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,276
• Tuba City Service Unit: 705
• Winslow Service Unit: 309

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

The Navajo Nation’s Stay at Home Order remains in effect requiring all individuals on the Navajo Nation to stay at home and strictly limit movement, and limit public contact with others. Individuals may leave their place of residence only for emergencies or to perform “Essential Activities.” All residents are also required to avoid close contact with people who are sick, wash your hands for 20 seconds often, avoid touching high-touch surfaces, wear a mask, clean and disinfect your home, avoid public gatherings, and avoid non-essential travel.

“The state of Arizona now has the highest percentage of COVID-19 cases in the country. That’s an alarming fact and that’s why we need to continue wearing masks in public, staying home as much as possible, washing your hands often, practicing social distancing, and praying for our Nation. We are flattening the curve on a consistent basis, but this pandemic is far from over so let’s keep fighting the coronavirus together,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

During Tuesday’s online town hall, President Nez once again presented the Nez-Lizer Administration’s proposal for the remaining CARES Act funds, which includes the following:

• $300 Million for water infrastructure and agriculture projects
• $150 Million for powerline and solar infrastructure
• $50 Million for Broadband/Telecommunication
• $50 Million for scholarships to assist students entering the health care and public safety fields
• $60 Million to help Navajo businesses, and promote economic development
• $20 Million to address housing needs on the Navajo Nation
• Remaining amount for additional chapter projects and direct aid for the Navajo people

There remains approximately $662 million in CARES Act funding after the approval of $61 million for first responders, care packages, bathroom additions, and other resources to help protect employees and to start the process of reopening the government when the time is appropriate.

“We know the Navajo people want water projects, electricity, broadband, scholarships, housing, and other initiatives that empower our communities. With the proposal we are putting forth, we believe this will set us on the right path to help our communities and to prepare for any possible future pandemics. We are meeting and talking with members of the 24^th Navajo Nation Council and we are optimistic that we will reach an agreement,” 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.