The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 3, 2020

24 new cases, 7,113 recoveries, and no recent deaths related to COVID-19 

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 24 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains 504 as previously reported on Wednesday. Reports indicate that 7,113 individuals have recovered from COVID-19 and 96,397 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 9,871.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 2,333
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 811
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 935
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,578
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,308
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,501
• Tuba City Service Unit: 938
• Winslow Service Unit: 461

* 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.

“Stay home and stay safe this Labor Day weekend. It is not safe to travel off the Navajo Nation because there remains substantial risk of contracting COVID-19 in other cities and towns near the Navajo Nation. As we’ve been saying all along, use this time on weekends to prepare for the upcoming winter season. Along with the winter season also comes the flu season, but I am confident that we can avoid a large spike in flu cases if we keep wearing our masks, staying home as much as possible, washing our hands, avoiding large crowds, and practicing social distancing. Please listen to our health care experts and take care of yourselves and your loved ones,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

On Thursday, the state of Utah reported 504 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 1,091 new cases, and New Mexico reported 202.

“Unfortunately, the state of Arizona has a large increase in new COVID-19 cases today compared to yesterday’s numbers. For this reason, it is not safe for our Navajo people to travel off the Navajo Nation. Our health care system on the Navajo Nation will have major issues dealing with a second wave of COVID-19 cases. We have to remain diligent and keep praying for our Nation and all of our people,” 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.