The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 26, 2020

226 new cases, 8,606 recoveries, and five more deaths related to COVID-19

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 226 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and five more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 645 as of Thursday. Reports indicate that 8,606 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 154,384 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 15,862, including 16 delayed unreported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 3,305
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 1,748
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 1,664
• Gallup Service Unit: 2,589
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,673
• Shiprock Service Unit: 2,384
• Tuba City Service Unit: 1,631
• Winslow Service Unit: 855

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

On Thursday, the state of New Mexico reported 1,708 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 3,474 new cases, and Utah did not report its daily cases due to the holiday.

“We hope everyone is enjoying a safe Thanksgiving Day as we give thanks for all of the wonderful blessings that our Creator has given us. We are very thankful for the life we have been given and we have to remember that we need to do everything we can to protect ourselves and others during this COVID-19 pandemic. Please offer a prayer for all of the families who have lost a loved one due to COVID-19. The holidays are very difficult for those who are grieving. Please do not go out into public for Black Friday. The risks are far too high and not worth your life. Be safe, stay home, wear a mask, social distance, avoid crowds, and wash your hands often,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

The Navajo Nation’s three-week stay-at-home lockdown is in effect 24-hours a day, seven days a week with the exception of essential workers, cases of emergencies, and to purchase essential items such as food and medication when essential businesses are open from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily. Navajo Area IHS and 638 hospitals continue to offer COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites this week, except for the holiday.

“We wish all of our Navajo people a Happy Thanksgiving holiday and we encourage you to remain home with your loved ones throughout the weekend. The safest place to be during this pandemic is at home here on the Navajo Nation. We love you all and we want you to be safe and healthy. Our Nation has too many people suffering and fighting for their lives due to COVID-19. Please remain strong and continue to pray,” 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.