
- Details
- By Native News Online Staff
WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — On Monday, 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.
More Stories Like This
Native News Weekly (August 25, 2024): D.C. BriefsUS Presidents in Their Own Words Concerning American Indians
Native News Weekly (August 4, 2024): D.C. Briefs
Tunica-Biloxi Chairman Pierite Hosts Roundtable with Tribal Leaders and Trump Administration Officials
$38 Million in Cobell Settlement Funds Are Still Available
Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions
At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.
The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.
Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.
This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.
We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.
Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.
The stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.
Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.
Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher