The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2020

15 new cases, 7,177 recoveries, and no recent deaths related to COVID-19 as 32-hour partial weekend lockdown begins

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 15 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 530 as previously reported on Thursday. Reports indicate that 7,177 individuals have recovered from COVID-19 and 99,153 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 9,969, which includes previously unreported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

· Chinle Service Unit: 2,351
· Crownpoint Service Unit: 815
· Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 949
· Gallup Service Unit: 1,593
· Kayenta Service Unit: 1,319
· Shiprock Service Unit: 1,509
· Tuba City Service Unit: 949
· Winslow Service Unit: 478

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

The Navajo Nation will have a 32-hour partial weekend lockdown beginning on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020 at 9:00 p.m. until Monday, Sept. 14 at 5:00 a.m. (MDT) to help control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation. On Friday, the state of Utah reported 572 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 605 new cases, and New Mexico reported 100.

“It’s disappointing to receive reports of our Navajo residents traveling to cities and towns off the Navajo Nation to avoid the partial weekend lockdowns. We are in this together and we must fight against the virus together. Please think of others, especially your family members, before deciding to travel and put yourselves at risk. The overall numbers of daily COVID-19 cases remain high and the risk of contracting the coronavirus is substantial. The safest place to be is at home here on the Navajo Nation with your loved ones. Stay home, wear your mask, practice social distancing, wash your hands, and avoid large crowds,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

On Saturday, the Nez-Lizer Administration distributed care packages to over 800 families at Fire Rock Navajo Casino in Church Rock, N.M. as the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise provided their parking lot to allow the U.S. Census to provide information, answer questions, and help residents self-respond for the 2020 Census.

“Thank you to the Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise and the U.S. Census for teaming up with our administration to help get our Navajo citizens counted for the 2020 Census. Every member of the Navajo Nation benefits in one way or another from the census count, so it’s very important that we get as many of our people counted as possible. As we continue to fight this pandemic together, please continue to pray for our frontline warriors and impacted families,” 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: http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. For COVID-19 related questions and information, call ‪‪‪(928) ‪871-7014‪.

https://www.facebook.com/NezLizer2018/posts/2597914957140698