Navajo Nation Reports 4 More COVID-19 Deaths, 104 New Cases

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Department of Health has reported four more COVID-19 deaths and 104 new cases on the reservation.

As of numbers released Sunday afternoon, a total of 4,633 people have tested positive for the virus, while 153 people have died from it.

Approximately 1,397 people have recovered, according to preliminary reports from eight health care facilities.

The updated case counts come as the Nation undergoes yet another weekend lockdown.

Residents — except for essential workers, first responders, and health care workers — were asked to stay home from Friday night to early Monday morning.

All essential businesses, including stores, gas stations, and restaurants were closed to limit traveling and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

“If you look at the daily numbers of positive cases over the last couple of weeks, it appears that the curve is flattening. The number of daily new cases fluctuates, but not to a large degree,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

President Nez said the Navajo Nation has seen some days with large numbers of new cases recently because health officials have been testing more aggressively.

“We have to remain diligent and practice social distancing in order to begin to see a consistent decrease in daily numbers of new cases,” said President Nez. “Let’s keeping fighting hard and thinking of others, especially our elders.”

Vice President Myron Lizer also encouraged residents to abide by the stay-at-home order.

“We are getting through this together and we are overcoming this pandemic and soon we will reach the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Lizer.

The Office of the President and Vice President have helped over 8,000 families in 60 communities during the pandemic by supplying food, bottled water, and other supplies.

The Navajo Reservation spans the Four Corners area that includes part of southeastern Utah.