The Navajo Indian Health Service reports hospital bed occupancy has exceeded 80% amid a surge in COVID-19 cases on the reservation.
Intensive care unit beds, however, are not at capacity because of a recent expansion. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez says the tribe’s healthcare system is in crisis and officials worry hospitals could become overwhelmed if virus numbers continue to climb.
“The Navajo Nation’s cases of Covid-19 will unfortunately get worse before it gets better, and we’re hearing from our healthcare and law enforcement personnel that the situation is escalating," said Speaker Seth Damon in a press release. "We need the Navajo people, and those who choose to come to the Navajo Nation, to know that every single person is responsible for the overall safety of our communities.”
A stay-at-home lockdown order remains in place on the reservation. In additon, officials are coordinating a vaccination plan for the Navajo Nation. The tribe reported nearly 160 new known COVID cases and six more deaths Tuesday.
