Navajo Nation Reports 4 Deaths, 54 New COVID-19 Cases
Jun 3, 2020, 4:19 PM | Updated: 5:17 pm
(Photo by Phillip Smith)
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – Navajo Nation health authorities reported 4 additional deaths Tuesday, increasing the coronavirus-related death toll to 252 victims.
Sixteen people have died from COVID-19 since Saturday. Ten deaths were reported Sunday as the reservation was in the middle of its eighth-consecutive, 57-hour weekend lockdown.
There were 5,533 reported cases of the disease with 1,960 individuals considered recovered as of Tuesday night.
“The Navajo Nation health care facilities continue to test our citizens at a greater rate per capita than any state in the country. We are capturing the data for recoveries and it gives us hope to keep fighting for our families and communities,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.
Nez encouraged tribal members to continue staying home, social distancing and practicing hygiene and sanitation practices.
Vice President Myron Lizer said it’s important for residents to take care of their bodies and minds.
“People who have a well-balanced diet tend to have healthier immune systems and have a lower risk of chronic illnesses and infectious diseases,” Lizer said. “We recommend that our people begin eating fresh and unprocessed foods every day to get the vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, protein and antioxidants your body needs to fight off any sickness, including the coronavirus.”
Earlier this week, the Nez-Lizer Administration delivered food, water, clothing, protective masks and other essential items to approximately 722 Navajo families in the communities of Ganado, Many Farms, Rough Rock, Round Rock and Tsaile/Wheatfields.
Several Utah groups have also sent food and other supplies to help families on the reservation in recent weeks, including a group of 50 pilots who took off from Salt Lake City Wednesday morning.