The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2020

17 new cases, 7,108 recoveries, and one more death related to COVID-19 as Nation’s leaders caution against traveling during the Labor Day weekend

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Wednesday, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 17 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and one more death. The total number of deaths has reached 504 as of Wednesday. Reports indicate that 7,108 individuals have recovered from COVID-19 and 96,086 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 9,847.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 2,333
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 809
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 923
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,577
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,306
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,501
• Tuba City Service Unit: 935
• Winslow Service Unit: 457

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

The Navajo Nation will have a 32-hour partial weekend lockdown beginning on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 9:00 p.m. (MDT) and last until Monday, Sept. 7 at 5:00 a.m. (MDT). Daily curfew hours from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (MDT) will also continue through the month of September to help control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation.

“Labor Day weekend is approaching and we know that there is a handful of people that will decide to travel despite the warnings from health experts – that’s when we have to hold our family members and loved ones accountable for their actions. Please tell your loved ones to stay home during the partial weekend lockdowns because they are putting themselves and everyone else at risk when or if they travel outside of the Navajo Nation. The overall numbers for the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah remain relatively high so we need to remain mindful of that. Use the time you have on Saturday to prepare your home and your family for the upcoming winter season. Gather firewood, food, water, and other essential supplies to ensure your safety this winter. Please continue to wear your masks, stay home, wash hands, practice social distancing, and avoid large crowds,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

On Wednesday, the state of Utah reported 419 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 519 new cases, and New Mexico reported 154.

“We are hopeful that the CDC will have a safe vaccine available sooner than later. Until then, we have to remain diligent and careful when going about our daily activities. We have lost over 500 of our Navajo Nation citizens to COVID-19 and we certainly want to do everything we can to prevent more deaths and new cases. Our epidemiology team as well as the contact tracers are doing a great job to help contain and control the spread of the coronavirus, but we as citizens have to do our part as well. Please pray for our Nation and all of our Navajo people and first responders,” 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.