11 COVID-19 Deaths Reported On Navajo Nation, Officials Warn Against Drinking Hand Sanitizer

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The latest COVID-19 update from the Navajo Nation reported 11 new deaths and included a warning about drinking hand sanitizer.

The Navajo report, issued late Wednesday, said the disease has now killed 347 people on the reservation.

The Navajo Nation, which is partly in southern Utah’s San Juan County, has been struggling to control one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the country. Navajo health officials have issued health orders that include mandatory use of masks, daily overnight curfews and another 57-hour, weekend-long stay-at-home order that starts at 8 p.m. Friday.

“Our young people need to remember that this virus can affect anyone, not only our elders. Please think of our elders and those with underlying conditions before you travel or go into public,” said President Jonathan Nez. “There’s no need to go into a store for a bag of chips or bottle of soda and put yourself and others at risk of COVID-19. This virus is showing that it can and will infect anyone of any age and it is proving to be fatal across all ages.”

All businesses on the reservation will be closed during the stay-at-home order, which will be lifted at 7 a.m. Monday.

“We are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, but we have to continue praying and remain hopeful. Thank you to all of our first responders and frontline heroes who continue to work around the clock to save lives. You are the answers to our prayers,” said Vice President Lizer.

Health care experts also reported cases of people drinking hand sanitizer, “which has led to hospital visits and several are currently in critical condition.”

Experts warned swallowing alcohol-based hand sanitizers can cause alcohol poisoning. Hand sanitizer should be stored out of reach of children and should be used with adult supervision.

Overall, 7,157 people have tested positive for COVID-19 and 3,802 were considered recovered.

Officials said 51,144 people have been tested.

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• What is COVID-19? Here’s What You Need To Know To Stay Healthy
• What We Know And Don’t Know About The Coronavirus
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• Your Life Your Health: How can parents prepare their home, children against coronavirus?

How Do I Prevent It?

The CDC has some simple recommendations, most of which are the same for preventing other respiratory illnesses or the flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who may be sick
• Avoid touching your face
• Stay home when you are sick
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom, before eating, and after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing. Always wash your hands with soap and water if your hands are visibly dirty.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

How To Get Help

If you’re worried you may have COVID-19, you can contact the Utah Coronavirus Information Line at 1-800-456-7707 to speak to trained healthcare professionals. You can also use telehealth services through your healthcare providers.

Additional Resources

If you see evidence of PRICE GOUGING, the Utah Attorney General’s Office wants you to report it. Common items in question include toilet paper, water, hand sanitizer, certain household cleaners, and even cold medicine and baby formula. Authorities are asking anyone who sees price gouging to report it to the Utah Division of Consumer Protection at 801-530-6601 or 800-721-7233. The division can also be reached by email at consumerprotection@utah.gov.