The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2020

175 new cases, 10,999 recoveries, and 10 more deaths related to COVID-19 as the 57-hour weekend lockdown takes effect

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Friday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 175 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and 10 more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 742 as of Friday. Reports indicate that 10,999 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 189,151 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 20,569.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 3,950
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,174
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 2,180
• Gallup Service Unit: 3,409
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,999
• Shiprock Service Unit: 3,426
• Tuba City Service Unit: 2,167
• Winslow Service Unit: 1,242

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

On Friday, the state of Arizona reported 7,635 new cases, Utah reported 2,644, and New Mexico reported 1463 new cases. The Navajo Nation’s 57-hour weekend lockdown will begin on Friday, Dec. 18 at 8:00 p.m. (MST) until Monday, Dec. 21 at 5:00 a.m. (MST). All businesses will be closed during the weekend lockdown and all residents are required to remain home with the exception of essential workers and cases of emergencies.

“We ask all Navajo Nation residents to help our health care workers and first responders by staying home and adhering to the 57-hour weekend lockdown. We have plenty of health care workers who are fighting for all of us, and in return they are asking all of us to stay home to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. This week, we are finally receiving some relief with the COVID-19 vaccines and the arrival of federal medical personnel to assist in our health care facilities. Keep praying and keep taking proper precautions to keep yourselves safe and healthy,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

On Friday, the Nez-Lizer Administration, Miss Navajo Nation Shaandiin Parrish, and World Central Kitchen teamed up to distribute food packages, turkeys, and other supplies in Kayenta, Arizona. They also showed their appreciation to all of the health care workers and distributed food items at Kayenta Health Center and Monument Valley Community Health Center.

“Please be safe and keep fighting hard. We are in this fight against COVID-19 together. Please remember that you are not alone in this challenging time. Continue to pray and to take measures to protect your health,” 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.