The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2020

5 new cases, 7,229 recoveries, and four more deaths related to COVID-19

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 5 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and four more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 544 as of Friday. Reports indicate that 7,229 individuals have recovered from COVID-19 and 101,514 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 10,090, which includes two additional positive COVID-19 cases that were previously unreported due to delayed reporting from health care facilities.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 2,363
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 829
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 966
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,621
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,327
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,543
• Tuba City Service Unit: 954
• Winslow Service Unit: 481

* 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. 19 at 9:00 p.m. and last ‪‪until Monday, Sept. 21 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 1,117 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 1,281 new cases, and New Mexico reported 154. The large increase in Arizona is due to the recent addition of antigen testing results, which adds to the overall total and includes positive cases from months past, according to the Arizona Department of Health.

“To keep our numbers of new cases of COVID-19 low, we must stay home as much as possible and not travel off the Navajo Nation. The overall numbers from the states are still high. Use the weekends to prepare for the winter season by weatherizing your homes, gathering fire wood and other essential supplies. We recently lifted restrictions on the use of chainsaws to allow families to gather fire wood for the winter season. Please stay home as much as possible, wear a mask, practice social distancing, wash your hands often, and avoid large gatherings,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

The Nez-Lizer Administration will distribute food and care packages at Northern Edge Navajo Casino beginning at 9:00 a.m. (MDT) on Saturday, Sept. 19. U.S. Census representatives will also be on-site to help answer questions, provide information, and help residents self-respond for the 2020 Census.

“Our condolences and prayers go out to the families of the four individuals who passed away recently from COVID-19. This is a reminder that the risks associated with this virus are real and continue to impact our people. Please do not let up and please keep your guard up. Continue to pray for our frontline warriors and all of our Navajo people,” said Vice President Myron Lizer.

The Nez-Lizer Administration also continues to encourage everyone to get counted for the 2020 Census. You can self-respond by mail, by telephone by calling ‪‪(844) 330-2020, or online at https://2020census.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: http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. For COVID-19 related questions and information, call ‪‪‪(928) ‪‪‪871-7014‪.