The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 1, 2020

104 new cases, 9,425 recoveries, and three more deaths related COVID-19 as Department of Health identifies 75 communities with uncontrolled spread

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 104 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and three more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 656 as of Tuesday. Reports indicate that 9,425 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 160,369 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 16,711, including 12 delayed reported cases.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 3,400
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 1,833
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 1,730
• Gallup Service Unit: 2,724
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,734
• Shiprock Service Unit: 2,583
• Tuba City Service Unit: 1,688
• Winslow Service Unit: 998

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

On Tuesday, the state of New Mexico reported 2,330 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Utah reported 2,510 cases, and Arizona reported 10,322, which includes a large number of delayed reported cases due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday weekend, according to the Arizona Department of Health.

On Tuesday, the Navajo Department of Health identified the following 75 communities with uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 from Nov. 13 to Nov. 26:

* Chapters added in the new 14-day period (compared to the previous 14-day period Nov. 6 to
Nov. 19)

“The country had a record-high number of hospitalizations today, with nearly 100,000 people being hospitalized for COVID-19. This virus should not be taken lightly by anyone of any age or health background. COVID-19 is very unpredictable and it affects everyone differently. This invisible monster has taken the lives of 656 of our people so far. This virus is not a hoax, just ask anyone or any family that has been devastated by COVID-19. It’s possible that we could be seeing a slight flattening of the curve, in terms of new cases, but we will have to wait and see how the Thanksgiving holiday impacts our numbers of cases in the coming weeks. Please take every precaution, stay home as much as possible, wear a mask, avoid crowds and gatherings, practice social distancing, 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.

“Please be aware of your surroundings at all times and be very careful if you have to purchase essential items such as groceries, medication, or hygiene items. Send only one family member to the store and please do not take children into stores. 75 of our communities here on the Navajo Nation have been identified as having uncontrolled spread of COVID-19, which means there is a high level of community spread. Please be safe and continue to pray for our first responders, those who are recovering, and those who have lost a loved one to this terrible virus,” 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.