The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 20, 2020

12 new cases, 7,232 recoveries, and no recent deaths related to COVID-19 as Navajo Nation’s 32-hour partial weekend lockdown continues

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 12 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 548 as previously reported on Saturday. Reports indicate that 7,232 individuals have recovered from COVID-19 and 102,195 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 10,119.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 2,364
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 833
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 980
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,623
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,329
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,549
• Tuba City Service Unit: 954
• Winslow Service Unit: 481

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

The Navajo Nation’s 32-hour partial weekend lockdown ‪remains in effect ‪until Monday, Sept. 21 at 5:00 a.m. (MDT)to help control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation.

On Monday, beginning at 8:45 a.m. (MDT), Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer will be joined by Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, during a live online town hall on the Nez-Lizer Facebook page to discuss COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation. Dr. Fauci’s remarks will also be broadcasted live on KTNN 660 AM and 101.5 FM.

“The states of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico reported slight decreases in COVID-19 cases on Sunday, but there remains substantial risk for our Navajo people if they travel off our Nation. On Monday, we will be joined by Dr. Fauci to help provide more information and answers for our Navajo people in regards to COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation. We welcome all of our Navajo Nation residents to tune in online and through KTNN radio for this important discussion,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

On Sunday, the state of Utah reported 920 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 469 new cases, and New Mexico reported 67.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has created many challenges for our people and our first responders, but we have stepped up to meet and overcome those challenges just as our ancestors did many years ago. Our thoughts and prayers are always with the families who have lost loved ones and our frontline warriors who fight for us each day. Please continue to pray for our Nation,” said Vice President Myron Lizer.

The Nez-Lizer Administration also continues to encourage everyone to get counted for the 2020 Census. You can self-respond by mail, by telephone by calling ‪‪(844) 330-2020, or online at https://2020census.gov‪.

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.