The Navajo Nation

Office of the President and Vice President

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 10, 2020

18 new cases, 7,169 recoveries, and three more 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 18 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and three more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 530 as of Thursday. Reports indicate that 7,169 individuals have recovered from COVID-19 and 98,408 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 9,933.

Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

• Chinle Service Unit: 2,347
• Crownpoint Service Unit: 815
• Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 945
• Gallup Service Unit: 1,586
• Kayenta Service Unit: 1,318
• Shiprock Service Unit: 1,506
• Tuba City Service Unit: 944
• Winslow Service Unit: 466

* 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. 12, 2020 at 9:00 p.m. until Monday, Sept. 14 at 5:00 a.m. (MDT) to help control and prevent the spread of COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation. Thursday, the state of Utah reported 346 new cases of COVID-19, the state of Arizona reported 461 new cases, and New Mexico reported 161.

“The Navajo Department of Health, under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Jill Jim, is working closely with health care experts to discuss the process and timeline for possible COVID-19 vaccines. We are hopeful that a safe vaccine will be available sooner than later. Until then, we have to stay the course and remained focused on staying home as much as possible, wearing our masks, washing our hands, avoiding large crowds, and social distancing. The overall number of COVID-19 cases in the states of Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico remain much higher than the Navajo Nation. The safest place to be is here at home on the Navajo Nation. Please do not travel to hotspots – the risks of contracting COVID-19 is substantial in towns and cities near our Nation,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

On Friday, Sept. 11, the Nez-Lizer Administration will distribute care packages at Alamo Chapter at 9:00 a.m., Tohajilee Chapter at 11:00 a.m., Casamero Lake Chapter at 1:30 p.m., and Little Water Chapter at 3:00 p.m. The U.S. Census will also have staff present at each chapter to provide information, answer questions, and help residents self-respond for the 2020 Census.

“The Nez-Lizer Administration is committed to preventing the spread of COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation, but we all have to continue working together to keep our numbers low. We are hopeful that we won’t see a large spike in new COVID-19 cases due to the recent Labor Day weekend. Please continue to listen to our health care experts and please continue to pray for everyone that is fighting for their lives and those who are recovering from the virus. We will overcome this pandemic together,” 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.