PRESS RELEASE – Navajo Department of Health identifies 44 communities with uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in latest Health Advisory Notice
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, the Navajo Department of Health identified the following 44 communities in the latest Health Advisory Notice, with uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 from Jan. 22, 2021 to Feb. 4, 2021:
Aneth
Baca/Prewitt
Birdsprings*
Cameron
Chinle
Churchrock
Coyote Canyon
Crownpoint
Dennehotso
Ganado
Indian Wells
Iyanbito
Jeddito
Kaibeto
Kayenta
Leupp
Many Farms
Mariano Lake
Nahatadziil
Nahodishgish
Nazlini
Newcomb
Oak Springs*
Ramah*
Red Lake
Rock Springs
Rough Rock
Sanostee*
Sheepsprings
Shiprock
Shonto*
Smith Lake
St. Michaels
Tachee/Blue Gap
Teec Nos Pos
Thoreau
Tohatchi
Tsaile/Wheatfields
Tsayatoh
Tselani/Cottonwood
Tuba City
Twin Lakes
Upper Fruitland
Whitehorse Lake*
- Chapters recently added to the list
“This week we have a slight reduction in the number of communities identified with uncontrolled spread of COVID-19, but we cannot let up now. This is a good indication that the number of new daily cases is flattening, but it doesn’t take much to see a large surge as we’ve seen in the past. The variants being detected in several states are very concerning and all the more reason to continue to take all precautions to stay safe and healthy. Keep staying home as much as possible and always wear a mask or two in public,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.
Public Health Emergency Order No. 2021-002 remains in effect with the following provisions:
· Extends the Stay-At-Home order requiring 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 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.
· 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.
“Keep fighting this virus together and remain strong. We are making good progress against COVID-19, but we have to stay focused and keep listening to our public health experts. Last week, we had 56 communities identified in the health advisory and this week we have 44. Let’s stay focused and keep doing our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in our homes and communities,” 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.
PRESS RELEASE – 40 new cases, 15,264 recoveries, and three more deaths related to COVID-19
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Monday, Feb. 8, 2021, the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 40 new COVID-19 positive cases for the Navajo Nation and three more deaths. The total number of deaths is now 1,060 as of Monday. Reports indicate that 15,264 individuals have recovered from COVID-19, and 236,327 COVID-19 tests have been administered. The total number of positive COVID-19 cases is now 28,937.
Navajo Nation COVID-19 positive cases by Service Unit:
· Chinle Service Unit: 5,327
· Crownpoint Service Unit: 2,800
· Ft. Defiance Service Unit: 3,388
· Gallup Service Unit: 4,571
· Kayenta Service Unit: 2,582
· Shiprock Service Unit: 4,931
· Tuba City Service Unit: 3,474
· Winslow Service Unit: 1,846
- 18 residences with COVID-19 positive cases are not specific enough to place them accurately in a Service Unit.
The Navajo Nation’s curfew remains in effect from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (MST) seven days a week. On Monday, the state of Arizona reported 2,250 new cases, Utah reported 514, and New Mexico reported 315 new cases.
“We are seeing some good indications in terms of daily numbers of new cases, the high percentage of vaccines completed, and increased support from the federal level. Our message to the Navajo people remains the same, keep taking all precautions against COVID-19 and keep your guard up at all times. Now is not the time to let up and now is not the time to travel off the Navajo Nation. There is growing concern over the new variant strands of COVID-19 and there is still a lot that the health experts do not know about the new variants. Our health care workers are administering the COVID-19 vaccines very efficiently and we are expecting over 28,000 more vaccines to arrive this week, but we all have to do our part as well. Stay home as much as possible, wear a mask in public, avoid large gatherings, practice social distancing, and wash your hands often,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.
Health care facilities across the Navajo Nation continue to administer COVID-19 vaccines during drive-thru events or by appointment. If you would like to receive the vaccine, please contact your health care provider for more information for your Service Unit.
On Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 10:00 a.m., the Nez-Lizer Administration will host an online town hall on the Nez-Lizer Facebook page and YouTube channel to provide COVID-19 updates.
“Each day, the light at the end of this dark tunnel gets a little brighter but we still have to keep fighting and staying strong. We cannot afford to have another large surge in new COVID-19 cases, so please keep listening to our health care experts. Our Navajo people are once again bringing down our daily numbers of new cases, but we have to remain focused and take all precautions,” 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.
