Greetings Relatives/Frens/Humans:
The week of July 17 ended with 197 COVID-19 cases reported on Saturday, July 23, 2022, the Navajo Nation Council unexpectedly ending their annual five-day summer session early due to a COVID-19 outbreak among legislative staff, and the World Health Organization declaring monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern.
The Guardian reported Saturday, July 23, 2022, that the World Health Organization declared the global monkeypox a public health emergency of international concern – the strongest call to action the agency can make. It is the seventh time such a declaration was made since 2009, the most recent being for Covid-19, which was given the same label by the WHO in 2020, and follows a meeting of a committee of experts on Thursday.
A public health emergency of international concern – or PHEIC – is defined by the WHO’s international health regulations as “an extraordinary event which is determined to constitute a public health risk to other states through the international spread of disease and to potentially require a coordinated international response”. The UN health agency said the term implies the situation is serious, sudden, unusual or unexpected, that it carries implications for public health beyond national borders, and that it may require immediate international attention, according to the Guardian.
Also on Friday, July 23, 2022, the Navajo Nation reported 197 new COVID-19 cases and no recent deaths related to COVID-19 reported. The Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported the 197 new COVID-19 cases and no recent deaths. The total number of deaths remains at 1,845.
The Navajo Nation also reported an overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases at 59,906, including 61 delayed reported cases. A new case is defined as a positive test within the last 72-hours, the Nation reported. Some cases are due to delayed reporting from the states. Any positive tests from beyond the last 72-hours are considered delayed.
But the Navajo Nation remains in “yellow status,” in accordance with Public Health Emergency Order No. 2022-004, which states in part that Yellow status is defined as: 75% of maximum occupancy allowed for all businesses to be open, including:
• Restaurants.
• Navajo casinos.
• Lodging and hotels including campgrounds and RV parks.
• Museums and zoos.
• Marinas and parks. Tour businesses must follow the HCOC Reopening Guidelines for
Tour Businesses.
• Movie theaters.
• Personal Care and Services.
Flea markets and roadside markets are allowed in accordance with guidelines issued by the HCOC.
Gathering of 25 or fewer people are permitted for youth programs, consistent with
guideline from the Health Command Operations Center. Per guideline, report all
COVID-19 cases to local health care facility, and to the HCOC COVID-19 Report Exposure Portal. For questions about reporting cases, call the Health Command Operations Center at (928) 871-7014.
Gyms, wellness centers, and recreation facilities will be allowed at 25% of maximum occupancy or less dependent on 6 feet physical distancing, consistent with Navajo Health
Command Operations Center guidelines.
All businesses are required to submit a COVID-19 Reopening Plan to the Navajo Nation
Division of Economic Development before reopening in Yellow Status.
The Navajo Nation reported 166 COVID-19 cases and no deaths on Thursday, July 21, 2022. The total number of deaths was 1,845, as of Thursday.
“The Omicron BA.5. subvariant continues to spread and infect people across the country and here on the Navajo Nation,” Navajo President Jonathan Nez stated in a Thursday news release. We must keep our guard up at all times, especially at our work places and in public areas. The mask mandate remains in place across the Navajo Nation and it applies to all visitors as well. Please get vaccinated, get a booster shot if you’re eligible to do so, and take precautions in public and if you travel.”
On Wednesday, July 20, 2022, the Navajo Nation reported 180 new cases and one death. The total number of deaths, as of Wednesday, was 1,845, including two delayed reported deaths, and the overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases was 59,459, including 50 delayed reported cases.
Positive COVID-19 cases dropped Tuesday to 70 and no recent deaths related to COVID-19 were reported.
On Monday, July 18, 2022, the Navajo Nation reported 328 positive COVID-19 cases over a three-day period, and two deaths related to COVID-19.
Also on Monday, the Nation reported that 58 communities on the Navajo Nation were identified with uncontrolled spread, and the number of deaths at 1,840, including one delayed reported death. The overall total number of positive COVID-19 cases was reported at 59,106, including 44 delayed reported cases, on Monday, July 18, 2022.
The 50 communities with uncontrollable COVID-19 cases, as on Monday, July 18, 2022, are: Aneth; Baca/Prewitt; Bird Springs; Black Mesa; Bread Springs; Burnham; Cameron; Chichiltah; Chinle; Churchrock; Cove; Coyote Canyon; Crownpoint; Fort Defiance; Ganado; Hard Rock; Hogback; Houck; Indian Wells; Iyanbito; Kaibeto; Kayenta; Leupp; Low Mountain; Lukachukai; Lupton; Many Farms; Mexican Springs; Nahodishgish; Naschitti; Navajo Mountain; Nazlini; Nenahnezad; Pinon; Ramah; Red Lake; Red Valley; Rock Point; Rock Springs; Rough Rock; Sanostee; Sheepsprings Shiprock; Shonto; St. Michaels; Standing Rock; Tachee/Blue Gap; Teecnospos; Teesto; Thoreau; Tohatchi; Tonalea; Tsaile/Wheatfields; Tsayatoh; Tuba City; Twin Lakes; Upper Fruitland; and Whippoorwill.
Nez stated Monday, July 18, 2022, “If you have symptoms such as a fever, body aches, sore throat, runny nose, or others, please stay home, isolate, and get tested as soon as possible. If you are sick, you should not report to your work place or go out into public. The risk of getting COVID-19 increases when people travel, so we strongly encourage everyone to be very cautious and remind your loved ones to take precautions in all public places. We are in this together.”
