Navajo Nation passes peak virus hospitalizations sooner than expected
May 26, 2020, 6:30 PM | Updated: 9:25 pm
President Jonathan Nez. (Facebook Screenshot/Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer)
(Facebook Screenshot/Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez and Vice President Myron Lizer)
PHOENIX — Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez announced on Tuesday that the surge peak for Indian Health Service coronavirus hospitalizations occurred a month sooner than initially anticipated.
During an online town hall, the Navajo Nation leader cited new data provided by the Navajo Area Indian Health Service which indicated peak virus-related IHS hospitalizations, ICU admissions and ventilations occurred from April 21 to April 26, according to a press release.
An initial surge projection on March 27 showed that with 30% of Navajo Nation members practicing social distancing, the surge peak was expected to begin the week of May 24.
New COVID-19 surge projections show the effectiveness of Public Health Emergency Orders and weekend lockdowns pic.twitter.com/3A59D1Ppqk
— Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez (@NNPrezNez) May 26, 2020
“Our administration took decisive actions to ensure the safety of our Navajo people and our communities,” Nez said at the town hall.
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“We issued travel restrictions, reduced the operation of Navajo governments, closed schools, required masks to be worn, and issued orders to stay home and save lives … The updated surge report shows us that the anticipated numbers of Navajo people needing hospitalization … did not materialize.”
On Monday, the Navajo Nation reported an increase of 48 confirmed coronavirus cases and a total death count of 158.
