PRESS RELEASE – Navajo Department of Health identifies 21 communities with uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in latest Health Advisory Notice
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Monday, the Navajo Department of Health identified the following 21 communities in the latest Health Advisory Notice, with uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 from Feb. 5, 2021 to Feb. 18, 2021:
Baca/Prewitt
Birdsprings
Bodaway/Gap*
Chichiltah
Churchrock
Coyote Canyon
Crownpoint
Dennehotso
Iyanbito
Leupp
Lukachukai*
Nahatadziil
Nahodoishgish*
Rock Springs
Shiprock
St. Michaels
Tachee/Blue Gap
Tohatchi
Tuba City
Twin Lakes
Upper Fruitland
- Chapters recently added to the list
“We set a new goal of administering at least 120,000 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines by the end of February, after we exceeded the initial goal of 100,000 last week. Our health care workers are working as hard as they can with the resources available, but all of us have a part to play in bringing down the numbers of new COVID-19 cases. As the variants continue to spread, it’s critical that all residents of the Navajo Nation remain mindful of the risks. Please avoid traveling off the Navajo Nation and please do not hold in-person family gatherings. The risks are still far too high at this point. Be safe and continue to take all precautions such as wearing a mask or two in public,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.
Public Health Emergency Order No. 2021-003 is currently in effect for the Navajo Nation through March 8, 2021 with the following provisions:
· Extends the Stay-At-Home Lockdown which requires all residents to remain at home 24-hours, seven days a week, with the exceptions of essential workers that must report to work, emergency situations, to obtain essential food, medication, and supplies, tend to livestock, outdoor exercising within the immediate vicinity of your home, wood gathering and hauling with a permit.
· Daily curfew hours from 9:00 p.m. (MST) until 5:00 a.m. (MST) seven days a week.
· Essential businesses may operate between the hours of 7:00 a.m. (MST) and 8:00 p.m. (MST) daily, including gas stations, grocery stores, convenience stores, hardware stores, laundromats, restaurants, food establishments, banks and similar financial institutions, and hay vendors, provided they comply with provisions outline in the order to help protect employees and the public from COVID-19.
· Banks and other financial institutions, however, may allow no more than 10 customers inside the bank. Banks may allow one customer per household, with the exception of one accompanying caregiver per customer, or the customer’s spouse, and only if necessary, to conduct business in the bank or financial institution.
· Refrain from gathering with individuals from outside your immediate household and requiring all residents to wear a mask in public, avoid public gatherings, maintain social (physical) distancing, remain in your vehicle for curb-side and drive-through services.
· Public Health Emergency Order No. 2021-003 is available online at: https://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19
“Our health care professionals are doing wonderful work on the ground in many of the communities to help get people vaccinated as we work toward herd immunity. We are not out of the woods yet and we still have quite a way to go, but we are seeing some good indications. Please remain diligent and keep fighting this virus together,” said Vice President Myron Lizer.
For more information, including helpful prevention tips, and resources to help stop the spread of COVID-19, visit the Navajo Department of Health’s COVID-19 website: http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. For COVID-19 related questions and information, call (928) 871-7014.
