Navajo Nation Reports 22 New Cases Of COVID-19, One Death
Oct 1, 2020, 2:40 PM | Updated: 2:51 pm
FILE: An American flag with an image of Native American on it is attached to a fence outside a home in the East To'Hajiilee housing community in To'Hajiilee Indian Reservation (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – The Navajo Nation reported 22 new cases of COVID-19 and one death Wednesday evening.
A total of 556 people have now died from the disease in the Navajo Nation.
Tribal authorities will begin enforcing a 57-hour weekend lockdown starting at 8 p.m. Friday, which will run until 5 a.m. Monday.
22 new cases, 7,256 recoveries, and one more death related to COVID- pic.twitter.com/5J7clS35tH
— Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez (@NNPrezNez) October 1, 2020
A stay-at-home order is also in effect for the entire reservation. It restricts people from leaving their homes except for emergencies or essential activities.
“The latest public health emergency order allows for wood gathering and hauling during the 57-hour weekend lockdown, as long as you have a permit and wear masks, limit your group to no more than five people, use hand sanitizer and practice other safety measures,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez. “The states of Utah, Arizona and New Mexico continue to report high numbers of COVID-19. Please be safe and think of others who have underlying health conditions and please think of our elders.”
Leaders also encouraged tribal members to take part in the 2020 Census.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many challenges, but we encourage all of our people to get counted for the 2020 Census,” said Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer. “It’s not too late to get counted. It only takes five to 10 minutes to submit your census information and it can be done safely online, by phone or at any of our food distributions events.”
