The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2020

24 new cases, 7,504 recoveries, and one recent death related to COVID-19

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 24 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and one recent death. The total number of deaths is now 575 as of Tuesday. Reports indicate that 7,504 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 122,240 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 11,386.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 2,534
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 1,117
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 1,205
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,766
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,385
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,754
• Tuba City Service Unit: 1,077
• Winslow Service Unit: 539

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

The Navajo Nation will have a 56-hour weekend lockdown beginning on Friday, Oct. 30 at 9:00 p.m. (MDT) until Monday, Nov. 2 at 5:00 a.m. (MDT), while the daily curfew remains in effect from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. on weekdays. On Tuesday, the state of New Mexico reported 590 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 1,157 new cases, and Utah reported 1,145.

“COVID-19 fatigue, travel to hotspots, and family gatherings are all contributing factors to the rise in coronavirus cases across the country and here on the Navajo Nation. If you look at the factors, they are all within our control. So, we have the ability and the power to reverse what is happening right now. Sadly, some of our people will only realize the devastating impacts if or when COVID-19 hits close to home, when someone we love catches the virus. Unfortunately, here on the Navajo Nation we have 575 families that are grieving for the loss of loved ones because of COVID-19. That is why the leaders of the Navajo Nation along with our public health experts continue to urge everyone to stay home as much as possible, to wear a mask, practice social distancing, wash your hands often, and to avoid large gatherings. We are in this together, which means we have to be united in our approach to bringing the numbers of cases down,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

On Wednesday, Oct. 28 beginning at 10:00 a.m., the Nez-Lizer Administration will host an online town hall on the Nez-Lizer Facebook page to provide additional updates on COVID-19.

“As the winter weather begins, more of our people will spend more time at home and this may lead to greater risks because more people will be indoors. When you combine that with the flu season and the COVID-19 pandemic, we are facing greater challenges and we have to do our very best to stay healthy and stay strong. Staying strong means physically and mentally. Please pray for yourselves and your loved ones because the power of prayer is real and prayer has the power to heal. Please be safe and keep fighting this pandemic together,” 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.