The Navajo Nation Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 24, 2020

180 new cases and six more deaths related to COVID-19 reported as 57-hour weekend curfew is set to take effect

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Department of Health in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 180 new cases of COVID-19 and a total of 58 deaths for the Navajo Nation as of Friday. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases for the Navajo Nation has reached 1,540. There is a total of 6,473 negative test results. The total COVID-19 tests administered totals 8,978, with some test results pending. 

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said the public should remain very cautious, but should not panic due to the large increase in positive cases in one day, stating that the increase is partly due to increased testing being done, including rapid testing. 

The 1,540 confirmed positive cases on the Navajo Nation include the following counties:

• Navajo County, AZ: 386
• Apache County, AZ: 342
• Coconino County, AZ: 238
• McKinley County, NM: 351
• San Juan County, NM: 154
• Cibola County, NM: 15
• San Juan County, UT: 19
• Socorro County, NM: 20
• Sandoval County, NM: 15

“With today’s large increase in positive cases, it’s important to remember that it is partly due to more testing that’s available, including rapid testing. On the upside, with more testing we now identifying those individuals who need to isolate themselves. We are working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to construct Alternative Care Sites to house positive patients to help prevent the spread. Keeping praying, and we will continue doing everything we can to help our Navajo people and we will beat the virus together,” said President Nez. 

On Friday, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer met with Navajo Police Chief Phillip B. Francisco and Navajo Nation Division of Transportation Executive Director Garret Silversmith, to plan for more stringent patrols during the 57-hour weekend curfew that is set to begin at 8:00 p.m. on Friday until 5:00 a.m. on Monday. Curfew violators can receive citations with fines up to $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail for failing to comply with the curfew. 

“We are very thankful to our Navajo Police Officers for their hard work to protect our communities to slow the spread of COVID-19. Unfortunately, we now have 11 police officers who have tested positive for the virus, but this will not deter them from enforcing the curfew. No one should be out in public this weekend, unless you have an emergency or you’re an essential worker,” said Vice President Myron Lizer.

The Office of the President and Vice President in coordination with World Vision, delivered hundreds of gowns, masks, and other protective equipment to the Navajo Police Department on Friday, which will help to protect officers on the frontlines.

The leaders also visited Miyamura High School in Gallup, N.M., where the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed an Alternative Care Site that has 60 beds available to house positive COVID-19 patients. Additional facilities are under construction in the communities of Chinle, Ariz. and Shiprock, N.M. as well. 

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.