Navajo Nation Reports 40 New COVID-19 Cases, 3 Deaths

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Navajo Nation Health Department reported 40 new coronavirus cases as concerns grow over the rapid spread of COVID-19 in neighboring Arizona.

Three deaths were reported bringing, the total number of virus deaths on the reservation to 382.

The New York Times reported the coronavirus has been growing faster in Arizona than any country in the world according to its analysis of Johns Hopkins University data.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said the Arizona statistics are a reason for grave concern on the reservation.

“It’s very troubling to receive reports of so many of our people traveling back and forth from Phoenix and other cities and putting themselves and our people at risk,” he said.

The Navajo Nation is in the Four Corners area which includes Utah’s San Juan County.

Nez urged residents to hold family members accountable to prevent the spread of the disease on the reservation.

“Government cannot do everything and that’s why we need everyone to do their part to help bring the number of new cases down,” Nez said.

The Navajo Nation has been desperately fighting to slow COVID-19 cases on the reservation as it was, at one time, the area with the worst pandemic problem in the country. Extreme measures, including a current stay-at-home order, multiple lockdowns and curfews, have been effective in slowing the spread.

Wednesday’s update was the third time this week health officials reported 40 or fewer new cases on the reservation.

“The curve is flattening and steadily declining on the Navajo Nation and we want to keep it that way,” Nez said.

“Our frontline warriors are fighting for us around the clock and we need to help them fight the virus as well,”Vice President Myron Lizer said. “We have to plan for the long term and while we are hopeful that we will continue to see a downward trend in new cases of COVID-19, we also have to plan for all situations that may come about.”