Navajo Nation reports two deaths and 92 cases of coronavirus

Navajo coronavirus cases increase to 92, with two confirmed deaths, as the virus spreads

By Brenda Norrell
Censored News
Photo by Navajo President's Office

The coronavirus claimed two lives and infected 92 Dine', an increase of 21 people in just 24 hours, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez said late Friday.

Navajo President Nez said, “Our condolences and prayers go out to the families of the two individuals who have passed on. We also pray for all of those who are fighting to recover from the virus. We cannot thank our health care workers and first responders enough for everything they are doing to help our people."

“To our Navajo people, let’s help our healthcare workers by staying home and isolating ourselves as much as possible. Our public safety officers are needed in our communities every day, and we don’t want to have to take them away from those duties to force people to stay home – we don’t have to go to that extent if people simply listen to the health care experts."

Navajo area doctors pleaded for face masks at Tuba City Medical Center and elsewhere in Indian country. As the coronavirus spread through Indian country this week, Native American doctors urged people to stay at home and sought out those who could help provide face masks.

The Navajo Times reports the spread of the coronavirus followed a gathering of the Nazarene Church in Chilchinbeto. Those attending the Nazarene Zone Rally and their families became ill in Cameron, LeChee and nearby chapters.

One family told the Navajo Times that the father was turned away at a local hospital repeatedly after becoming sick with a high fever after the rally.

A second church rally at Pine Hill, N.M., near Gallup infected more Dine', and the pastor's family was hospitalized, sources said.

Nationwide, at least two other Native Americans have died from the virus in Oklahoma and Washington State.

With coronavirus testing and treatment difficult in Indian country, IHS statistics show only about one-half of Native Americans tested have received results of the tests.

The Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota is among the many Native American Nations which established a curfew, with restrictions on visitors and businesses. It prohibits unaccompanied minors. The order began Friday night at midnight in an effort to control the spread of the virus after the first case was reported there.

Already with a stay-at-home order in place, the Navajo Nation cases continued to rise this week.

Currently, the Navajo cases are in Navajo County, Ariz., 49; Apache County, Ariz., 18; Coconino County, Ariz., 6; McKinley County, N.M., 5; San Juan County, N.M., 11; Cibola County, N. M., 1; San Juan County, Utah, 2.

Navajo Times article on coronavirus victims:
https://navajotimes.com/coronavirus-updates/two-deaths-in-western-may-have-been-covid-virus-spread-at-church-rally/

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