The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2020

143 new cases, 7,902 recoveries, and no recent deaths related to COVID-19 as states continue to report record-high new cases and hospitalizations

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 143 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 596 as previously reported on Wednesday. Reports indicate that 7,902 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 135,864 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 12,971, including 10 delayed unreported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 2,847
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 1,407
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 1,303
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,996
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,469
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,952
• Tuba City Service Unit: 1,334
• Winslow Service Unit: 654

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

The Navajo Nation will have a 56-hour weekend curfew beginning at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020 until 5:00 a.m. (MST) on Monday, Nov. 16, 2020 due to the spread of COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation, largely due to travel off the Navajo Nation and family gatherings.

On Thursday, the state of New Mexico reported 1,753 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 1,399 new cases, and Utah reported a single-day record-high of 3,919.

“Today, the state of Utah reported 3,919 new COVID-19 cases for one single day, setting a new record for the state. This is an extraordinarily high number of cases. We strongly caution our Navajo people who reside in Utah communities and cities to use extreme caution. The numbers for the state of New Mexico and Arizona are also very high and all states continue to report a high number of hospitalizations as well. The safest place for our Navajo citizens is at home here on the Navajo Nation. Stay local, stay safe. We cannot let this second wave surpass the first wave of cases that we had in the spring time. Let’s bring our numbers down by holding ourselves and our family members accountable. We have to think of others, especially our elders, students, and those with underlying health conditions,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

On Friday, Nov. 13, the Nez-Lizer Administration will distribute food packages at Tsayatoh Chapter at 2:00 p.m. (MST) and Houck Chapter at 4:00 p.m. (MST) to help families stay home and stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We ask all of our Navajo people to join us for “Navajo Nation Day of Prayer” on Friday, as we offer prayers for our Nation as we continue to see a rise in new cases of COVID-19. The rise in new cases is even more severe in border towns and cities off of the Navajo Nation, so we strongly urge our people to stay home as much as possible and keep their loved ones safe from this devastating virus. Please help our first responders by remaining safe and diligent during this pandemic,” 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.