Navajo Nation Reports 6 More COVID-19 Deaths, 62 New Cases
Jun 20, 2020, 3:34 PM | Updated: Jul 13, 2023, 11:46 am
FILE (Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images)
(Photo by Thomas Lohnes/Getty Images)
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The Navajo Nation has reported 62 new cases and 6 more deaths related to COVID-19 as citizens enter another 57-hour weekend lockdown.
According to numbers released Saturday morning, 6,894 people on the reservation have tested positive for the virus, while 330 have died from it.
Health officials said a total of 47,934 tests have been administered.
Approximately 3,462 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, according to data from local health care facilities.
The new case counts come as the Navajo Nation enters another weekend lockdown.
“The Nation continues the 57-hour lockdown this weekend to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. It’s troubling and disheartening to hear that so many positive cases have been reported in surrounding areas of the Navajo Nation,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. “On the Navajo Nation, we have to stay the course and stay alert.”
The lockdown went into effect beginning at 8 p.m. Friday, and will stay in effect through 5 a.m. Monday.
President Nez encouraged Navajo citizens and those who do not live on the reservation to continue practicing preventative health measures like wearing face masks, washing hands, and practicing social distancing.
“Staying home, washing our hands, cleaning and disinfecting high-touched surfaces, wearing a face mask, and staying six feet away from others can protect us, including people over the age of 65-years, individuals with diabetes, chronic lung disease, asthma, serious heart conditions, kidney disease, and liver disease,” said Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer.
All businesses on the Nation will remain closed during the lockdown.
Law enforcement officers have set up road checkpoints throughout the area to ensure citizens are staying home to stop the spread of COVID-19. Navajo leaders said curfew violators who receive a criminal nuisance citation could be fined up to $1,000 and/or up to 30 days in jail.
“Protect your family and monitor your health for symptoms of COVID-19,” said Lizer.
The Navajo Reservation spans the Four Corners area that includes part of southeastern Utah. Here’s a breakdown of the reported coronavirus cases by Service Unit:
- Chinle Service Unit: 1,796
- Crownpoint Service Unit: 627
- Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 414
- Gallup Service Unit: 1,166
- Kayenta Service Unit: 992
- Shiprock Service Unit: 1,123
- Tuba City Service Unit: 564
- Winslow Service Unit: 204
