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Navajo Nation makes progress in positive case numbers

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The Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 41 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and seven more deaths on July 29.

The total number of deaths has reached 453. Reports indicate that 6,622 individuals have recovered from COVID-19. In total, 79,583 people have been tested for COVID-19. The total number of COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation is 8,968.

The total count of Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:

Chinle Service Unit: 2,206

Crownpoint Service Unit: 757

Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 647

Gallup Service Unit: 1,468

Kayenta Service Unit: 1,247

Shiprock Service Unit: 1,409

Tuba City Service Unit: 831

Winslow Service Unit: 400

The state of Arizona reported 2,339 new cases of COVID-19, while New Mexico reported 352 new cases, and Utah reported 339 new cases on July 29.

The Navajo Nation announced it will have another 57-hour weekend lockdown beginning July 31 at 8 pm until Aug. 3 at 5 am. All businesses on the Navajo Nation will remain closed for the duration of the weekend lockdown.

“The Navajo people are strong and resilient. A couple months ago, we were at our peak in COVID-19 cases and the media placed a lot of attention on our communities, but we have reversed the trend and now we are consistently flattening the curve here on the Navajo Nation,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. “Our health care experts are telling us that there remains substantial risk to our citizens due to the high numbers of cases [in] other parts of Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico.

“Our health care system on the Navajo Nation has limited capacity, so we cannot afford to have another spike in cases. Please remain diligent by staying home, wearing a mask, social distancing, washing your hands, and avoiding large crowds,” Nez added.

The Department of Health and the Health Command Operations Center is also preparing for the upcoming winter flu season. They have also created a vaccination group to develop plans securing and distributing a vaccine for COVID-19 once one is proven to be safe and made available.

“Stay home, stay safe, save lives. As always, we send a big thank you to our doctors, nurses, EMS personnel, police officers, fire fighters, and many others who are on the frontline helping our people everyday. Let us help them by making good decisions that keep us healthy and safe. We pray that our Nation keeps getting stronger, so we can fight this virus and save more lives,” Vice President Myron Lizer said.

Staff Reports