PRESS RELEASE – Navajo Department of Health identifies 25 communities with uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in latest Health Advisory Notice
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. – On Tuesday, Feb. 16, the Navajo Department of Health identified the following 25 communities in the latest Health Advisory Notice, with uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 from Jan. 29, 2021 to Feb. 11, 2021:
Baca/Prewitt
Birdsprings
Cameron
Chichiltah*
Chinle
Churchrock
Coyote Canyon
Crownpoint
Dennehotso
Ganado
Iyanbito
Leupp
Nahatadziil
Oak Springs
Rock Springs
Round Rock*
Shiprock
St. Michaels
Standing Rock*
Tachee/Blue Gap
Tohatchi
Tsaile/Wheatfields
Tuba City
Twin Lakes
Upper Fruitland
- Chapters recently added to the list
“We’ve gone from 44 communities last week to 25 communities this week, identified as having uncontrolled spread of COVID-19. This is good news, but the risks of COVID-19 are still prevalent especially when people travel to border towns and hold in-person gatherings. We got to a point last September where we had zero new cases reported one day, and that was a great accomplishment, but then we let up. People began traveling over the Labor Day holiday and people started holding in-person family gatherings and we had a large surge in new COVID-19 cases. We cannot repeat those mistakes again. Keep taking all COVID-19 precautions and please do not travel or hold in-person family gatherings. Stay home as much as possible, wear a mask or two in public, avoid crowds and gatherings, practice social distancing, and wash your hands often,” 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.
“Let’s keep helping our health care workers by continuing to take all COVID-19 precautions. Informing our elders is very important and while we do our best to inform the public through town halls, radio forums, newsletters, and other means, we need everyone’s help to inform and educate our elders about the virus and now the new variants that are being reported. We ask our people to talk with your parents and grandparents and share information in a safe manner, either by phone or with practicing social distancing. Be safe and make good decisions that keep you and your loved ones safe and healthy,” 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.
For the latest news from the Office of the President and Vice President,
please visit http://www.opvp.navajo-nsn.gov/ or find us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
