Navajo officials urge residents to be vigilant about COVID-19 for holidays

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) — The Navajo Nation reported 157 new cases of the coronavirus as of Sunday, the lowest daily count this month.

Still, tribal officials are urging residents of the vast reservation to stay vigilant to help stop the spread of the coronavirus amid the holiday season when families usually gather to celebrate.

“We saw a spike in new COVID-19 cases following Thanksgiving, so we want to avoid that happening again,” said Navajo President Jonathan Nez.

He encouraged everyone to spend Christmas with only the people in their household. A stay-at-home order is in effect until Dec. 28, along with a weekend lockdown where business hours are limited. The tribe also requires masks to be worn in public.

The latest figures bring the total number of cases on the reservation that extends into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah to 21,019. The tribe reported one additional death Sunday, bringing the death toll to 746, according to the Navajo Department of Health.