The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2020

5,480 recoveries, 56 new cases, two more deaths reported as law enforcement and New Mexico National Guard prepare to enforce 57-hour weekend lockdown

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 56 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and two more deaths. The total number of deaths has reached 371. Reports from all 12 health care facilities on and near the Navajo Nation indicate that approximately 5,480 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 57,559 people have been tested for COVID-19. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation is 7,669.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 1,967
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 663
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 485
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,284
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,089
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,239
• Tuba City Service Unit: 670
• Winslow Service Unit: 268

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

The Navajo Police Department and the New Mexico National Guard are preparing to enforce the 57-hour weekend lockdown, which begins on Friday, July 3 at 8:00 p.m. until Monday, July 6 at 5:00 a.m. This will be the first of three weekend lockdowns to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation.

“The majority of Navajo residents comply with the weekend lockdowns, but there are a handful of residents who do not comply and continue to travel off the Nation and put themselves and others at risk of contracting the coronavirus. This weekend, our law enforcement officers and the New Mexico National Guard are partnering to step up enforcement of the lockdown and they will have checkpoints setup in communities across the Navajo Nation. Please do not use fireworks and please enjoy the holiday with your loved ones safely at home,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

On May 15, President Nez and Navajo Area BIA Regional Director Bart Stevens issued Stage 2 Fire Restrictions that prohibit fireworks, trashing burning, wood burning, camp fires, discharging a firearm except while engaged in a lawful hunt, use of chainsaws and welding torches with open flames. Fines may reach as high as $5,000 for violations.

“Our Navajo people have done a great job in flattening the curve and creating a downward trend in new cases of COVID-19, so let’s keep up that momentum by staying home and staying safe this holiday weekend. Holidays are about spending time with your families, so let’s stay home and spend quality time with our parents, grandparents, and others and please do so safely. Please continue to pray for our first responders who are fighting to save lives and those who are fighting the Wood Springs 2 Fire as well,” 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 at http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. For COVID-19 related questions and information, call (928) 871-7014.

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