The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2020

20 new cases, 7,255 recoveries, and no recent deaths related to COVID-19

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Tuesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 20 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 555 as previously reported on Sunday. Reports indicate that 7,255 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 106,194 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 10,333, which includes one additional positive case due to delayed reporting from health care facilities.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 2,390
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 888
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 1,034
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,640
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,338
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,577
• Tuba City Service Unit: 977
• Winslow Service Unit: 483

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

On Tuesday, the state of Utah reported 694 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 675 new cases, and New Mexico reported 178.

“We cannot force anyone to stay home during the curfew and lockdown hours, but it is the only way that our numbers of COVID-19 cases will slow and reduce. According to information provided by the Navajo Epidemiology Center and contact tracers, the increase in COVID-19 cases is directly related to residents traveling off of the Navajo Nation, and family gatherings where social distancing and the wearing of face masks are not enforced. Stay home, wear a mask, practice social distancing, wash your hands, and avoid family gatherings,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

On Tuesday, the Navajo Department of Health issued Public Health Emergency Order No. 2020-24, which revises the daily curfew during weekdays from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. starting on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, and implements two additional 57-hour weekend lockdowns as the result of increases in COVID-19 cases in many regions of the Navajo Nation. The 57-hour weekend lockdowns will begin at 8:00 p.m. (MDT) on Friday, Oct. 2 until 5:00 a.m. (MDT) on Monday, Oct. 5 and continuing the weekend lockdown for the same 57-hour time period on Oct. 9-12, 2020. The Stay-At-Home Order also remains in effect for the entire Navajo Nation.

“Thank you to all of our health care workers, epidemiology team, contact tracers, and many other frontline warriors who are putting their health at risk to help others. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and we will get there together. Please pray for strength and comfort for those who are grieving for their loved ones who lost their lives to this virus,” said Vice President Myron Lizer.

The Nez-Lizer Administration will distribute food and care packages at the fairgrounds in Kayenta, Ariz. beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020. Census officials will also be on-site to help residents get counted for the 2020 Census.

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.