Navajo Nation Reports 108 New COVID-19 Cases, No New Deaths
May 16, 2020, 10:22 AM | Updated: Jul 13, 2023, 1:56 pm
(Karen Ducey/Getty Images)
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Department of Health has reported 108 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths on the reservation.
As of numbers released late Friday, a total of 3,740 people have tested positive for the virus, while 127 people have died from it.
“Preliminary reports from a few health care facilities indicate that approximately 519 individuals have recovered from COVID-19,” read the press release.
The new case counts come as the Navajo Nation enters a 57-hour weekend lockdown in which all businesses are closed to deter traveling, and to keep people home and safe from COVID-19.
The lockdown began at 8:00 p.m. Friday and will remain in effect through 5:00 a.m. Monday.
“Stay home and stay safe! People are wondering where there will be vaccine for COVID-19, but we already have one and that’s staying home and practicing social distancing to prevent the spread of the virus,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.
All residents — except essential workers, first responders, and health care workers — have been asked to stay home.
Essential businesses including stores, gas stations, restaurants, drive-thru food establishments, hay vendors, and other vendors, have ceased all operations for the weekend in one of the Nation’s strictest lockdowns yet.
“Please protect yourselves and your loved ones and please hold each other accountable when it comes to staying home and complying with the weekend lockdown,” said Myron Lizer, vice president of the Navajo Nation.
Navajo residents are only allowed to leave their homes in case of safety, health, or medical emergencies.
The Navajo Reservation spans the Four Corners area that includes part of southeastern Utah. Here’s a county by county breakdown of reported coronavirus cases on the reservation.
- San Juan County, UT: 57
- Apache County, AZ: 889
- Navajo County, AZ: 697
- Coconino County, AZ: 335
- McKinley County, NM: 912
- San Juan County, NM: 410
- Socorro County, NM: 26
- Cibola County, NM: 37
- Sandoval County, NM: 26
- Bernalillo County, NM: 3