Navajo Nation: 21-Consecutive Days With Fewer Than 50 COVID-19 Cases
Aug 21, 2020, 9:36 PM
File photo (KSL TV)
(KSL TV)
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Navajo Nation reported 19 new cases of COVID-19 Thursday as it recorded 21-consecutive days of fewer than 50 new cases of the virus.
Three more deaths were reported and the disease has now killed 487 people on the reservation.
A news release said President Johnathan Nez, Miss Navajo Nation, Shaandiin Parrish; and officials with the Navajo Police Department handed out face masks, hand sanitizer and preventative tips and information for COVID-19 at a checkpoint along U.S. Highway 191 in Chinle, Arizona, on Thursday.
“We have to remain diligent,” Nez said. “We must adapt all preventative measures into our daily lives to lower the spread of the flu and COVID-19 on the Navajo Nation. As leaders, we have to help our people in any way possible during the pandemic, even at the frontlines to distribute face masks and hand sanitizers to our Navajo families and elders in need.”
19 new cases, 6,996 recoveries, and three new deaths related to COVID-19 pic.twitter.com/2gc4IhFzEg
— Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez (@NNPrezNez) August 21, 2020
It’s been a remarkable turnaround from when the reservation had the highest rate of cases in the country during the spring.
The Navajo Nation has used several strategies to lower the growth of cases, including lockdowns and curfews. Another 32-hour lockdown began at 9 p.m. Friday and will end at 5 a.m. Monday.
All businesses and tribal parks will close during that time.
“As we begin to see fewer cases, we remind our citizens to continue to take care of their mental and physical health,” Lizer said. “Please stay connected with relatives and neighbors by phone or video chat and remind them that they have support.”
