The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 23, 2020

27 new cases, 7,240 recoveries, and three more deaths related to COVID-19 as cluster cases continue to increase

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Wednesday, 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 three more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 551 as of Wednesday. Reports indicate that 7,240 individuals have recovered from COVID-19 and 103,343 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 10,167, which includes one additional case that was previously unreported due to delayed reporting.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

· Chinle Service Unit: 2,370
· Crownpoint Service Unit: 846
· Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 989
· Gallup Service Unit: 1,628
· Kayenta Service Unit: 1,332
· Shiprock Service Unit: 1,552
· Tuba City Service Unit: 962
· Winslow Service Unit: 482
* Six residences with COVID-19 positive cases are not specific enough to place them accurately in a Service Unit.

On Wednesday, the state of Utah reported 877 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 438 new cases, and New Mexico reported 200.

The Navajo Nation will have a 57-hour weekend lockdown beginning on Friday, Sept. 25 at 8:00 p.m. until Monday, Sept. 28 at 5:00 a.m. (MDT). The daily curfew will continue from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. on weekdays.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer continue to receive additional reports of increases in cluster cases related to individuals traveling off the Navajo Nation and contracting the virus, then spreading the virus to family members and relatives during family gatherings.

“The Navajo people did a great job in bringing down the number of COVID-19 cases since May, but the fact of the matter is that we will continue to see new cluster cases as long as people continue to travel off the Nation and hold family gatherings. We are relying on the expertise and data provided by our health care experts. Based on the investigations being conducted by contact tracers, we are seeing the virus spread among family members during birthday parties and other family gatherings. Yes, we know people miss their loved ones, but now is not the time to gather or visit your family members in person. Stay home as much as possible, wear a mask, wash your hands, practice social distancing, and avoid gatherings,” said President Nez.

“The number one priority is always the safety and health of all of our Navajo Nation residents including our first responders who are fighting on the frontlines for us every day. We have to be united in the fight against COVID-19 and we have to continue to pray for our communities and those who are fighting for their health and their lives. Stay home, stay safe, and save lives,” said Vice President Lizer.

On Thursday, Sept. 24, the Nez-Lizer Administration will distribute food items and essential supplies at the following locations:

Bodaway/Gap Chapter 8:00 a.m. (MDT)
Coppermine Chapter 10:00 a.m. (MDT)
LeChee Chapter 12:00 p.m. (MDT)
Kaibeto Chapter 2:00 p.m. (MDT)
Inscription House Chapter 4:00 p.m. (MDT)
Naatsis’ aan Eehaniih Pioneer Day Celebration Fairgrounds 4:00 p.m. (MDT)
Shonto Chapter 6:00 p.m. (MDT)

President Nez and Vice President Lizer will also host an online town hall on Thursday, Sept. 23 at 6:00 p.m. (MDT) on the Nez-Lizer Facebook page to provide additional updates on COVID-19.

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/2607641219501405?