Navajo Nation shuts down Arizona community due to coronavirus
Mar 20, 2020, 5:02 PM | Updated: 7:43 pm
(Navajo Nation Facebook Photo)
(Navajo Nation Facebook Photo)
PHOENIX — The Navajo Nation has ordered the closure of one of its Arizona communities because of the continued coronavirus outbreak.
The Navajo Health Command Operations Center has required the closure, or shelter-in-place, of the Chilchinbeto community to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
The Navajo Nation reported an increase in the total number of positive coronavirus cases to 14 on Thursday, an increase of 11 from the previous day. Navajo County on Friday had only reported three cases.
Following Friday’s closure announcement, Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer signed a $4 million appropriation that will be directed to the Navajo Department of Health to help combat the spread of the novel coronavirus pandemic on the Najavo Nation.
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The funding will deliver much-needed equipment to health care experts and emergency response personnel on the ground, as well as provide food and water supplies and public outreach.
“The $4 million appropriation will help our first responders, health care experts, and emergency officials to protect our communities, while we continue to seek assistance from federal and state agencies and others,” Nez said in a press release.
“The federal government is not expediting the release of funds that have already been approved by Congress, so our Navajo government is stepping up to help the people most in need of resources and assistance.”
If the reports of the virus become more widespread, Nez added that the order may be applied to the entire Navajo Nation.
Most of Navajo Nation’s territory is in Arizona, but it spans across the Utah and New Mexico borders.
“I assure everyone that the Navajo Health Command Operations Center, Navajo Area IHS, and 638 Tribal Health Organizations are working proactively to investigate each case to prevent the spread of the virus,” Nez said in a press release.
“Everyone must remain home at this point and let the health care and emergency experts do their jobs. Please be respectful and adhere to their directions as they are doing their best to protect our communities.”
The majority of the cases involved individuals who reported their initial symptoms to Kayenta IHS Service Unit in northeastern Arizona. The Navajo Health Command Operations Center and Navajo Area IHS are working to determine if and how the cases might be related.
“This is not a time for panic. Although there is an increase in positive tests for COVID-19, there are also a large number of people who have tested negative and some who are recovering,” Lizer said in the release.
