The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 20, 2020

6,369 recoveries, 24 new cases, and no recent deaths related to COVID-19 reported

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Monday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 24 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 422 as previously reported on Sunday.

Reports indicate that approximately 6,369 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. 73,684 people have been tested for COVID-19. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation is 8,617.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 2,153
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 734
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 582
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,402
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,217
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,357
• Tuba City Service Unit: 794
• Winslow Service Unit: 375

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

The Navajo Department of Health has issued Public Health Emergency Order No. 2020-018, implementing two additional 57-hour weekend lockdowns from July 24, 2020 to July 27, 2020 and from July 31, 2020 to August 3, 2020, starting at 8:00 P.M. MDT on Friday and ending at 5:00 A.M. MDT on Monday. A separate order is being developed to require residents that travel to “hotspots” to quarantine for 14 days when they return to the Navajo Nation.

“As leaders we have to make tough decisions. In this case, we continue to listen to the health care experts and to rely on the data. Our numbers on the Navajo Nation are improving day by day, but we have to also look at the data in surrounding towns and cities. Based on what we are seeing, it is far too soon to lift the weekend lockdowns. We have to keep fighting this virus. The last thing we want is to have another spike, our health care system would suffer tremendously from another spike in new cases. That’s why we are continuing the weekend lockdowns, and telling our people to keep wearing masks in public, staying home, washing your hands, practicing social distancing, and praying for our people,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan 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.

“Our first responders are doing a great job fighting for our people and saving lives. We really need to focus on protecting our elders and those with underlying health conditions. The safest place to be is at home here on the Navajo Nation. We will continue to pray for our frontline warriors and for all of the families out there who are grieving or struggling during this pandemic. Our prayers are with you each and every day,” 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 at http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. For COVID-19 related questions and information, call (928) 871-7014.