Copyright © 2020 Albuquerque Journal
The Navajo Nation reported seven new COVID-19 cases on Monday night, marking the first time the reservation had a day of single-digit cases since late March. The Navajo Nation has reported less than 40 new virus cases each day since Aug. 1.
The highest single-day total for the Navajo Nation during the pandemic was on May 21, when the reservation reported 181 new cases. At the time, the tribal land had the highest rate of reported coronavirus cases in the country.
Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez has credited stringent public health orders with helping slow the spread of the virus.
“It’s not a time to let down,” Nez said during a video update Tuesday. “We have to continue to do the awesome work that you have been doing for this past couple of months. Let’s continue to keep those numbers down.”
Tribal government and nonprofit organizations have delivered food, water and supplies to remote areas to help residents comply with stay-at-home orders.
There have been a total of 9,315 COVID-19 cases on the reservation, according to the Navajo Department of Health, Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service. More than 6,800 people have recovered, and 473 people have died from the disease.
The reservation has shortened its weekend curfews to 32 hours from Saturday night to Monday morning as new cases continue a steady decline. All businesses are closed during the weekend lockdowns.
The Navajo Nation also has a daily curfew and stay-at-home order, and masks are mandatory in public.
