6:19 pm PRESS RELEASE – 25 new cases of COVID-19 and five more deaths reported
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The total number of positive tests for COVID-19 has reached 838 for the Navajo Nation as of Tuesday – an increase of 25 positive cases since Monday, according to the Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area Indian Health Service, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center. The report also includes 3,107 total negative test results as of Tuesday. There is now a total of 33 confirmed deaths related to COVID-19.
The 838 confirmed positive cases include the following counties:
· Navajo County, AZ: 270
· Apache County, AZ: 107
· Coconino County, AZ: 166
· McKinley County, NM: 147
· San Juan County, NM: 115
· Cibola County, NM: 12
· San Juan County, UT: 11
· Socorro County, NM: 7
· Sandoval County, NM: 3
“The 57-hour weekend curfew was effective in reducing the numbers of people that went into the public, which helps fight the spread of COVID-19. We are developing a new order to implement similar curfews for the next three weekends for the entire Navajo Nation. As we approach the peak of the outbreak in the coming weeks, we need to remain proactive and pray for the best for our people. We’re continuing to work hard around the clock,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.
This week, the Navajo Area Indian Health Service continues to implement rapid COVID-19 testing that will begin producing quicker results at health care facilities on the Navajo Nation. During a live town hall on Tuesday, President Nez said the public should anticipate a spike in positive case numbers due to the quicker test results.
“The numbers will rise, but we will also rise to the challenge. It’s going to get more challenging before it gets better. The sooner people choose to stay home more, the sooner we will beat the virus and the sooner we can begin to heal. We continue to pray for everyone, especially those families who lost loved ones. We ask God to comfort all of you and give you strength,” said Vice President Lizer.
The Navajo Nation’s daily curfew remains in effect from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and Navajo Police continue to issue citations for curfew violators. President Nez and Vice President Lizer will host another online Town Hall to share COVID-19 updates beginning at 10:00 a.m. (MDT) on Thursday on the Nez-Lizer Facebook page.
For more information including reports, helpful prevention tips, and more resources, please visit the Navajo Department of Health’s COVID-19 website at http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. To contact the main Navajo Health Command Operations Center, please call (928) 871-7014.
