Navajo Nation coronavirus cases increase to 426, with 17 deaths, with curfew

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Photo: Navajo President with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Arizona National Guard assessing possible sites for a Federal Medical Station. Photo Western Navajo Fairgrounds by Navajo President's Office.

Also see: San Felipe Pueblo has 52 cases of coronavirus and Zia Pueblo has 31 cases. McKinley County, which includes Zuni Pueblo, Gallup and parts of the Navajo Nation, has 55 cases. Read more.

Pine Ridge in South Dakota on 72 hour lockdown after first case of coronavirus, teacher in Porcupine. Read more.

42 new positive cases of COVID-19 reported for the Navajo Nation, two additional deaths

By Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer

Censored News

WINDOW ROCK – The total number of positive tests for COVID-19 has reached 426 for the Navajo Nation as of Tuesday – an increase of 42 positive cases since Monday, according to the Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area Indian Health Service, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center. There is now a total of 17 confirmed deaths related to COVID-19.

The 426 confirmed positive cases include the following counties: Navajo County, AZ: 164; Apache County, AZ: 44; Coconino County, AZ: 102; McKinley County, NM: 32; San Juan County, NM: 66; Cibola County, NM: 8; San Juan County, UT: 7; Socorro County, NM: 2; Bernalillo County, NM: 1

"The Navajo Nation can implement and enforce curfews and restrictions, but ultimately it’s up to you. We must practice T’áá hwó’ ajít’éego, self-determination, our Diné people must know that they also have the power to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We have the power to save lives, especially those that have compromised immune systems. We must work together to protect our people, our way of life and who we are as Diné,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez.

On Tuesday, President Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer teamed up with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Arizona National Guard to assess several possible sites for Federal Medical Station in the communities of Kayenta and Tuba City, to help patient overflow from local health care facilities due to the spread of COVID-19. A report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected in the next few days.

Other communities are also being considered for Federal Medical Station sites including Shiprock, Crownpoint, Fort Defiance, and others. They also continue to hold regular phones calls with federal agencies, state partners, and members of Congress to facilitate the distribution of more resources and funds.

“The numbers are very alarming, but we must also remember that many people who test positive eventually recover from the virus — that’s the good news. We need to ramp up efforts to keep our people home and safe as much as possible. This weekend’s 57-hour curfew is the next step in keeping our communities safe,” said Vice President Lizer.

President Nez continues to urge the general public to use protective masks, including homemade masks, and protective gloves if they are required to work or when going to stores for essential items such as food and medicine.

The Navajo Nation’s daily curfew continues to be enforced by the Navajo Police. Checkpoints are setup regularly and citations and fines up to $1,000 may be issued for those who violate the curfew order that requires residents to remain home between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. each day. This weekend’s 57-hour curfew will begin on Friday at 8:00 p.m. until Monday at 5:00 a.m.

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.

FEDERAL MEDICAL STATIONS 04.07.20

Today, President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer teamed up with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Arizona National Guard to assess several possible sites for Federal Medical Station (FMS) in the communities of Kayenta and Tuba City, to help patient overflow from local health care facilities due to the spread of COVID-19.

A report from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected in the next few days. Other communities are also being considered for Federal Medical Station sites including Shiprock, Crownpoint, Fort Defiance, and others. President Nez and Vice President Lizer continue to hold regular phones calls with federal agencies, state partners, and members of Congress to facilitate the distribution of more resources and funds.

Please continue to stay home and stay safe as much as possible, and continue to pray for our health care workers, first responders, our elderly people, and all of our communities. We will be this virus together! Stay home, stay safe, save lives!

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Read more in the news:

Fred Willie, Dine', referring to the gathering of Nazarene Church in Chilchinbeto near Kayenta, Arizona, on the Navajo Nation, the location of the first coronavirus cases: “Everybody heard about this great preacher, so they came from all over,” said Willie. “And that minister was out there sweating and coughing on everybody, laying on hands. That was the beginning of the downfall.” 

VOA News

Tulalip Nation: One death, nine cases and tribal police officer has coronavirus

Zia Pueblo confirms 11 coronavirus cases, with possibly 20, curfew in place

To: Zia Community Members
From: Acting Governor/Mayordomo Floyd Toribio
Cc: Governor Frederick Medina
Lt. Governor Cecil Shije
Date: April 5, 2020
Re: Stay at Home Order Update

This Memo outlines specific details of the “Stay at Home” Order declared in the Memo of April 2, 2020, and the Order with latest updates, will remain in effect until further notice.

Curfew will be from 8:00PM to 5:00AM

Individuals permitted to leave the Pueblo:
• Individuals with medical appointment and medical emergencies
• Essential Workers deemed necessary to work by their Employer. Essential workers will be required to present a signed letter from their Employer.
• Ranchers who need to maintain all their ranch functions.

Essential shopping limitations will be set forth as follows”
• Up to two(2) Individuals per Household.
• No Elderly or Children/Teenagers under 18 years of Age.
• Designated shopping days are set for Tuesdays and Wednesdays. On Tuesdays, residents of Chamisa and those living south of the Jemez River. On Wednesdays, residents of the main village, north village, and those living west of the main village.

*(We encourage designated shoppers to seek ways to shop for extended family households, when possible. We encourage Essential Workers to also shop for necessary items for their household or their extended families’ household, after working hours.)

• No family gatherings and visits. Do not risk the health of your family and loved ones.

Stay indoors as much as possible, especially children. However we support outdoor activities to stimulate a mental health balance for all. Please adhere to social distancing guidelines at all times when carrying out outdoor activities.
• Playground and basketball courts are closed.
• Fishing will be permitted at Zia Lake while practicing social distancing guidelines.
• Farming will be permitted while practicing social distancing guidelines.
• All Fishing and Farming activity will be monitored by Zia Police Department and Zia Tribal Officials.

All 2020 Church activities, including all Easter Annual activities, are canceled for the safety of all community members.
• No church services, which includes Easter Sunday Mass.
• No Comadre food exchange
• No Social/Plaza Dances
* No large Easter Egg Hunt activity, unless household members carryout their own Easter Egg Hunt activities within their one house yards while practicing social distancing guidelines.

(Despite the cancellation of Easter activities, we encourage everyone to observe the Easter Season with their household members within their own homes.)

It’s disheartening to announce, but as of today April 5th, the Pueblo of Zia has confirmed 11 Zia Tribal Members, potentially 20, infected by COVID-19(Coronavirus). If this statement does not make you realize how real and close to home this truly is, then we don’t know what will. We are a small, close-knit community with strong family connections. If the “Stay at Home” Order is not taken seriously or ignored, even by one person, more harm will be inflicted upon Zia Members. Please, our Zia People, abide by the “Stay at Home” Order. Practice all social distancing guidelines and frequently follow through with personal hygiene recommendations set forth by Public Health experts.

If any Zia Member has received positive results for COVID -19 ALL THEIR HOUSEHOLD MEMBERS must be quarantined 24/7 for 14 days.

Zia Members who test positive for COVID-19 have the option to be quarantined through self-isolation in their homes or our Emergency Management Team is available to assist in determining a remote self-isolation site.

Due to HIPPA Law, no names can be disclosed. Therefore, it is imperative that all Zia Members “Stay Home” and when NECESSARY to be outside, follow social distancing rules.

Questions related to COVID-1( or if you nee to be in contact with an Emergency Management Team member, please call (505)337-2144.

Stay positive and Continue to Pray for the well-being of our Zia Community.

*On April 4, 2020, the Pueblo of Zia in collaborations with the NM Department of Health conducted COVID-19 testing to ONLY Pueblo of Zia Tribal Employees, Tribal Officials, and community members who had direct contact with individuals who have tested positive for the virus.

*The Sandoval Count Public Health Office are scheduling appointments for Zia Members who meet requisites to be tested for COVID-19(Coronavirus)

**To be screened for POSSIBLE COVID-19 Testing for you or your household members, please call 505-867-2291, ext 1707. On Monday April 6, 2020(8:00AM-5:00PM)

Navajo Nation: Coronavirus cases climb to 384 with 15 deaths, weekend lockdown announced

Navajo Nation: 30 new positive cases of COVID-19, 2,134 total negative results

By Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer

Censored News

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. — The total number of positive tests for COVID-19 has reached 384 for the Navajo Nation as of Monday – an increase of 30 positive cases since Sunday, according to the Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area Indian Health Service, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center. There is now a total of 15 confirmed deaths related to COVID-19. There is a total of 2,134 negative results as of Monday.

The 384 confirmed positive cases include the following counties: Navajo County, AZ: 156;
Apache County, AZ: 37; Coconino County, AZ: 102; McKinley County, NM: 23; San Juan County, NM: 49; Cibola County, NM: 8San Juan County, UT: 7; Socorro County, NM: 2.

“COVID-19 cases and deaths are growing at a very alarming rate on the Navajo Nation. This weekend, we are initiating a 57-hour mandatory curfew because many people aren’t abiding by the stay at home order. Police will issue citations, fines, and detain people if they don’t abide by the order,” said Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez, who also noted that essential personal including first responders are exempted from the weekend curfew.