The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2020

167 new cases, 8,028 recoveries, and five more deaths related to COVID-19 as New Mexico reports 3,675, Utah reports 3,968, and Arizona reports 4,123

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 167 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and five more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 618 as of Thursday. Reports indicate that 8,028 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 144,514 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 14,085, including 38 delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 3,075
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 1,524
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 1,438
• Gallup Service Unit: 2,244
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,546
• Shiprock Service Unit: 2,073
• Tuba City Service Unit: 1,471
• Winslow Service Unit: 705

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

The Navajo Nation’s three-week stay-at-home lockdown is in effect 24-hours a day, seven days a week with the exception of essential workers, cases of emergencies, and to purchase essential items such as food and medication when essential businesses are open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily. On Thursday, the state of New Mexico reported a record-high 3,675 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 4,123 new cases, and Utah reported 3,968 cases.

“The states of New Mexico, Utah, and Arizona are reporting significantly high numbers of new COVID-19 cases today. We are seeing record numbers across the country in terms of new cases, hospital visits, hospitalizations, and deaths due to COVID-19. This is real and it is happening all around us, and it is devastating many of our Navajo people at this moment. Unfortunately, it is going to get worse before it gets better and that’s what we are seeing now. We have to stay home in order to isolate this virus and prevent it from spreading further. We cannot be visiting other households or having birthday parties, ceremonies, or other gatherings. We have to do this together and we have to do better. To wear a mask is to be a warrior. We can all be warriors by wearing a mask, practicing social distancing, staying home as much as possible, avoiding all in-person gatherings, and washing your hands often,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

All essential businesses are required to ensure employees and customers wear masks, practice social distancing, disinfect high-touch surfaces, access to hand wash stations, sanitizers and gloves, and limit the number of customers in any enclosed areas.

“Our doctors, nurses, EMS, firefighters, police officers, and many others are literally putting their lives at risk by going to work each day and treating our people who have COVID-19 and those who are fighting for their lives. We cannot see this virus, which makes it even more dangerous. Just because we cannot see it, does mean it is not present. Please be safe and do everything in your power to protect yourselves, your children, and your elders. We are praying for all of our people during this time,” 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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