The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 29, 2020

130 new cases, 7,528 recoveries, and no recent deaths related to COVID-19 as Navajo Department of Health warns of community spread

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Thursday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 130 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 575 as previously reported on Tuesday. Reports indicate that 7,528 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 124,109 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 11,602, including 10 delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 2,581
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 1,156
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 1,216
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,776
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,396
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,775
• Tuba City Service Unit: 1,110
• Winslow Service Unit: 583

* 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 Thursday, the state of New Mexico reported a record-high of 1,082 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 1,315 new cases, and Utah reported 1,837.

“The Navajo Department of Health is now warning the public about the possibility of community spread of COVID-19, meaning that individuals may contract the coronavirus without knowing how they were exposed. This is very troubling for our contact tracers because it is difficult to investigate and track 130 new cases in a single day with the limited number of contact tracers helping the Navajo Nation. The Navajo Nation is in a very dire situation right now, but we have the ability to reverse this trend. We know how to beat the virus and we need to stop thinking only of ourselves and think of our elders, children, and those with underlying health conditions. Our health care system cannot handle much more and we are on the verge of a major health care crisis. Stop holding family gatherings and stop traveling off the Navajo Nation and bringing back the virus. We have to hold each other accountable,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

On Friday, Oct. 30, the Nation’s 110 chapters and the Nez-Lizer Administration will continue to offer assistance to complete and submit hardship assistance program applications beginning at 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at chapter houses and other sites. Please visit https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19/Hardship to view the alternative locations and contact information. Applicants will be able to submit completed applications on-site.

“We have to be strong and do our best to remain optimistic through prayer and making good decisions. Please be safe and keep your children safe during this Halloween weekend. Community spread is once again a possibility here on the Navajo Nation. Keep praying for our people, our first responders, and our entire country,” 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.

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