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Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez practicing physical distancing as he greets Navajo elder.

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The number of COVID-19 cases rose by 163 on Friday on the Navajo Nation, which brings the total number of cases to 2,307.

Two more novel coronavirus related deaths were reported. The death toll now stands at 73.

On Friday, the Navajo Department of Health in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service says a total of 13,427 COVID-19 tests have been administered with 9,058 negative test results.

The 2,307 confirmed positive cases on the Navajo Nation include the following counties:

  • McKinley County, NM: 617
  • Apache County, AZ: 538
  • Navajo County, AZ: 513
  • Coconino County, AZ: 286
  • San Juan County, NM: 245
  • San Juan County, UT: 42
  • Socorro County, NM: 23
  • Cibola County, NM: 22
  • Sandoval County, NM: 21

“The Navajo Nation continues to move up the curve on the number of positive cases and deaths. Last week, we began to see a slight flattening of the curve, but so many people continue to travel to border towns and now we’re seeing spikes in new cases again. We, as citizens of the Navajo Nation, need to do a better job and hold one another accountable. As leaders, we send a message of hope, resilience, and strength to our Navajo citizens, because we believe that we will overcome this pandemic together and stronger. We also continue for pray for all of the families that become victims of the virus,” Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said.

He added, “We are seeing more positive cases because there is a lot more testing being conducted in each county. Those who test positive will soon be able to isolate themselves at one of the Alternative Care Sites and this will help to prevent the spread among families and communities. Let’s be strong and keep fighting together by staying home and avoiding hotshot areas."

The Navajo Nation’s 57-hour weekend curfew is in effect, requiring all residents to remain home with the exception of essential workers, including first responders, and in cases of emergencies. The Navajo Police will setup road checkpoints and issue citations to curfew violators as well.

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To Donate to the Navajo Nation

The official webpage for donations to the Navajo Nation, which has further details on how to support  the Nation’s Dikos Ntsaaígíí-19 (COVID-19) efforts is:  http://www.nndoh.org/donate.html.

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For More Information

For more information including reports, helpful prevention tips, and more resources, please visit the Navajo Department of Health’s COVID-19 website at http://www.ndoh.navajo-nsn.gov/COVID-19. To contact the main Navajo Health Command Operations Center, please call (928) 871-7014.

For up to date information on impact the coronavirus pandemic is having in the United States and around the world go to: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/country/us/?

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Levi "Calm Before the Storm" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at [email protected].