Photo: Navajo Nation Office of President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2020

Member of the Navajo Nation tests positive for COVID-19 coronavirus

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Tuesday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer were informed by the Navajo Department of Health that a 46-year-old member of the Navajo Nation with recent travel history tested positive for the COVID-19 coronavirus, which is the first confirmed case involving a member of the Navajo Nation.

The Arizona Department of Health confirmed the positive test result from an individual from the community of Chilchinbeto, Ariz., who first reported their symptoms to the Kayenta Health Center in Kayenta, Ariz. The individual was taken to a hospital in Phoenix, Ariz. where the test was conducted by the state’s Department of Health. Health and emergency officials are taking the proper precautions to screen and isolate the person’s family members.

President Nez and Vice President Lizer will provide more information live at 5:00 p.m. (DST) on Wednesday on KTNN AM 660 and 101.5 FM.

“We have health and emergency experts who have been planning and preparing for this situation for several weeks. We call upon our Navajo people to do their best to remain calm and make good decisions by staying home to prevent the spread of the virus among our communities. We are in close contact with officials from the Kayenta Indian Health Service Unit, Arizona Department of Health, Navajo County, and Navajo Area Indian Health Service to take the proper measures to inform the public, take precautions, and remain proactive,” said President Nez.

President Nez and Vice President Lizer also ask for the public to remain calm and to let the health and emergency experts do what they are trained to do in these situations.

“We need our people to remain vigilant and to isolate themselves as much as possible. The health command center has been in full activation in anticipation of this event. We are taking all proper actions at this time,” added Vice President Lizer.

In order to provide more resources, President Nez and Vice President Lizer are calling on the 24^th Navajo Nation Council to convene once again and appropriate funds for health and emergency professionals to address the COVID-19 coronavirus.

On Tuesday, President Nez and Vice President Lizer were also informed that Navajo Agricultural Products Industry is contributing $1 million to help the Navajo Nation address the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Questions from the public may be directed to the Navajo Health Command Operations Center at (928) 871-7014. If a person has symptoms related to the COVID-19 virus, please contact your local health care center prior to your arrival:

Chinle Comprehensive Health Care Facility

(928) 674-7001/7688

Crownpoint Health Care Facility

(505) 786-5291/6381

Fort Defiance Indian Hospital Board, INC

(928) 729-8000

Gallup Indian Medical Center

(505) 722-1000

Sage Memorial

(928) 755-4500

Kayenta Health Center

(928) 697-4000

Northern Navajo Medical Center

(505) 368-6001

Tuba City Regional Health Care

(866) 976-5941

Utah Navajo Health System

(866) 976-5941

Winslow Indian Health Care Center

(928) 289-4646

Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center

(844) 542-8201

New Mexico Coronavirus Hotline

(855) 600-3453

# # #