The Navajo Nation 

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2020

85 new cases of COVID-19 and three more deaths reported as the Navajo Nation’s 57-hour weekend curfew takes effect

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The total number of positive tests for COVID-19 has reached 1,127 for the Navajo Nation as of Friday – an increase of 85 positive cases since Thursday, according to the Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area Indian Health Service, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center. The report also includes 3,673 total negative test results as of Friday. There is now a total of 44 confirmed deaths related to COVID-19. 

The 1,127 confirmed positive cases include the following counties:

• Navajo County, AZ: 316
• Apache County, AZ: 168
• Coconino County, AZ: 203
• McKinley County, NM: 235
• San Juan County, NM: 153
• Cibola County, NM: 13
• San Juan County, UT: 14
• Socorro County, NM: 13
• Sandoval County, NM: 12

The Navajo Nation’s 57-hour weekend curfew is set to take effect at 8:00 p.m. on Friday until Monday, April 20 at 5:00 a.m. (MDT). The Navajo Police Department will once again enforce the weekend curfew with road checkpoints. They will also issue citations for curfew violators, which may include up to $1,000 in fines and/or 30 days in jail. 

“Everyone should have everything they need for the weekend, so we should not have anyone traveling this weekend except for essential workers and in cases of emergencies. I said this before, we are strong and resilient just like our ancestors. Our people have overcome so much, much worse than COVID-19 and we need to honor and remember all of the sacrifices that our ancestors made for us to be here today. Let’s not be careless, let’s not be selfish, but let’s rise up and beat this virus together,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

Last weekend, the Navajo Police Department issued approximately 119 citations for individuals who violated the curfew. Stricter provisions are now in place for businesses as well. 

“There are plenty of household tasks, hobbies, and other productive things we can do at home. Let’s look at this in a positive light and spend time with our loved ones while using precautions and practicing social distancing as much as possible. To our Navajo people and all those on the frontline, you are in our prayers every day as we fight together. We will overcome this pandemic, but the sooner we come together and stay home as much as possible the sooner we will beat COVID-19,” said Vice President Lizer.

For more information including reports, helpful prevention tips, and more resources, please visit the Navajo Department of Health’s COVID-19 website at http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. To contact the main Navajo Health Command Operations Center, please call (928) 871-7014.