The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 15, 2020

11 new cases, 6,970 recoveries, and no recent deaths related to COVID-19

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 11 new positive COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 478 as previously reported on Friday. 6,970 individuals have recovered from COVID-19 and 88,263 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases is 9,423 and negative tests total 73,994.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 2,272
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 785
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 733
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,513
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,293
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,471
• Tuba City Service Unit: 903
• Winslow Service Unit: 449

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

On Saturday, the state of Arizona reported 933 new cases of COVID-19, while New Mexico reported 142 new cases, and Utah reported 345 new cases. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer strongly urge all residents to wear masks, stay home as much as possible, wash hands, practice social distancing, and to avoid large crowds.

“Having only 11 new cases does not mean that we are in the clear. Instead, we should challenge ourselves to continue holding our loved ones accountable for complying with the public health orders and recommendations from the health care experts. Until there is a safe vaccine available, we must remain diligent and make good choices for ourselves and everyone else. We are in this together and we will keep fighting this virus,” said President Nez.

The Nez-Lizer Administration introduced the “Navajo Nation Reopening Plan,” which serves as a guide to safely and gradually reopen business on the Navajo Nation. The Plan includes safety-guidelines for Navajo Nation residents to follow through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, directs places of business to implement COVID-19 policies and procedures meeting certain standards, and provides a color-coded system for progressively reopening business on the Navajo Nation based on data-driven analysis and input from health experts.

The Navajo Nation will have another 32-hour weekend lockdown begins on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 9:00 p.m. (MDT) until Monday, Aug. 17 at 5:00 a.m. All businesses will be closed for the duration of the weekend lockdown.

“COVID-19 can affect anyone. Sadly, we have lost many of our elders and even young people. Our frontline warriors are doing the best they can and they are fighting hard for all of us. Please pray for them and all of those who are fighting for their lives at this very moment. Please do not let up,” said Vice President Lizer.

To view the “Navajo Nation Reopening Plan,” please visit: https://www.navajoreopening.navajo-nsn.gov. 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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