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Navajo Nation Confirms 39 COVID-19 Cases On Reservation

Courtesy

NOTE: Navajo Nation officials have updated numbers of COVID-19 since this story was written and as of Tuesday evening say there are 49 cases on the reservation. 

Navajo Nation health officials have confirmed 10 more cases of COVID-19 on the reservation.

According to President Jonathan Nez’s office, the Navajo Department of Health and Navajo Area Indian Health Service says there are now 39 positive cases among tribal members. Twenty-five are in Navajo County, along with six coronavirus cases in Apache, four in Coconino, and four in McKinley County, N.M.

A Public Health Emergency Stay-At-Home order remains in effect on the Navajo Nation. It requires tribal members to isolate themselves and for all non-essential businesses to close.

“Help beat the virus by staying home,” said Pres. Nez in a press release. “To prevent a massive public health crisis, every person must remain home, unless you need food, medicine, or other essential items, but beyond that we shouldn’t have anyone traveling or going out into the public. If you need essential items, send only one person and use every precaution available.”

First responders are delivering coal, firewood, medicine and other essentials to elderly and other vulnerable residents near Kayenta where several of the cases have been reported.

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