The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 16, 2020

6,213 recoveries, 79 new cases, and two more deaths related to COVID-19 reported

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 79 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and two more deaths. The total number of deaths has reached 407 as of Thursday.

Reports indicate that approximately 6,213 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 69,904 people have been tested for COVID-19. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation is 8,486.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 2,120
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 723
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 570
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,377
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,205
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,344
• Tuba City Service Unit: 775
• Winslow Service Unit: 369

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

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer encourage all residents of the Navajo Nation to prepare ahead of time for the upcoming 57-hour weekend lockdown, which is scheduled to begin on Friday, July 17 at 8:00 p.m. until Monday, July 20 at 5:00 a.m. to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and to keep the Navajo people safe.

“This weekend, stay home and do not travel off the Navajo Nation. Look at the numbers in the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah – they are all seeing increases in the number of people contracting the coronavirus. The safest place for you to be is at home here on the Navajo Nation. Think of your parents and grandparents, chances are they are more susceptible to getting the virus so let’s keep our guard up. Wear your masks, practice social distancing, wash your hands often, stay home, and pray for yourselves and your loved ones,” said President Nez.

The Navajo Nation’s Stay at Home Order remains in effect requiring all individuals on the Navajo Nation to stay at home and strictly limit movement, and limit public contact with others. Individuals may leave their place of residence only for emergencies or to perform “Essential Activities.” The daily curfew also remains in effect from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. on weekdays.

“During the weekend lockdown, use it as a time to spend time with your family. There are plenty of tasks and lessons to be learned by spending time together and getting things done around the house. Also, please continue to pray for our frontline warriors who are working hard to save lives and protect our communities from further exposure to COVID-19,” said Vice President 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 at http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. For COVID-19 related questions and information, call (928) 871-7014.