The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2020

177 new cases, 8,676 recoveries, and five more deaths related to COVID-19

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Sunday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 177 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and five more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 653 as of Sunday. Reports indicate that 8,676 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 157,860 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 16,427, including 27 delayed unreported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 3,354
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 1,802
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 1,699
• Gallup Service Unit: 2,672
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,712
• Shiprock Service Unit: 2,516
• Tuba City Service Unit: 1,670
• Winslow Service Unit: 981

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

On Sunday, the state of New Mexico reported 1,443 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 3,221 new cases, and Utah reported 1,722.

“COVID-19 is real and everyone needs to take it seriously. It’s very unfortunate and saddening, but a lot of people don’t take it seriously until a loved one gets the virus or loses their life because of it. Our public health officials know how to isolate the virus and bring the numbers down, but it ultimately depends on every individual’s actions and choices. We brought our numbers down several months ago and we did it by staying home and isolating the virus – that’s the remedy that we have right now and we can bring our numbers down once again. Until there is an approved vaccine that is widely available, we’re going to have to remain strong and be more disciplined to protect our family members. Please be safe, stay home as much as possible, wear a mask, avoid crowds and gatherings, practice social distancing, and wash your hands often,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

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. Navajo Area IHS and 638 hospitals continue to offer COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites.

“We have to remain strong just like our ancestors and we have to think of others. This COVID-19 virus is very unpredictable and it affects every person differently. Some are able to fight it off, some don’t have any symptoms, but you have people with existing health conditions that often have a difficult time fighting the virus. Please think of others and continue to listen to the public health experts. We will get through this pandemic. Continue to pray and be safe,” 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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