The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 21, 2020

12 new cases, 7,007 recoveries, and two new deaths related to COVID-19 

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Friday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 12 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and two recent deaths. The total number of deaths has reached 489 as of Friday. Reports indicate that 7,007 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 90,958 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases is 9,531.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 2,294
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 795
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 747
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,530
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,297
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,484
• Tuba City Service Unit: 926
• Winslow Service Unit: 454

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

The Navajo Nation will have another 32-hour weekend lockdown beginning on Saturday, Aug. 22, at 9:00 p.m. (MDT) until Monday, Aug. 24, at 5:00 a.m. All businesses and tribal parks will be closed for the duration of the weekend lockdown.

“Here on the Navajo Nation, we have gone 22 consecutive days with less than 50 new daily cases, but we have to remain diligent. As we enter the weekend, we ask our Navajo citizens to be safe and alert. The safest place to be is at home. In public places, please wear your face mask, stay at least six feet from others who you do not live with, and always clean and disinfect your hands and items you purchase,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

The President added that Public Health Emergency Order 2020-007 remains in effect. It requires all individuals on the Navajo Nation to wear protective masks in public to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

“As we prepare for another weekend lockdown, please take care of one another. Ask family members who are elders or with underlying health conditions if they need help with errands, chores, or essential shopping before the lockdown. Only one person in the household should be leaving home to complete shopping and errands. Always wear a face mask and stay six-feet from others,” 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.