Navajo Nation turns the corner on coronavirus

Navajo Nation turns the corner on coronavirus The Navajo community suffered one of the highest COVID-19 infection rates per capita in the country just three months ago but with the implementation of strict public health measures such as curfews and mandatory mask-wearing, Navajo Nation has curbed the spread of coronavirus. Overall, the number of YahooNews

The  Navajo community suffered one of the highest COVID-19 infection rates per capita in the country just three months ago but with the implementation of strict public health measures such as curfews and mandatory mask-wearing, Navajo Nation has curbed the spread of coronavirus.

Overall, the number of coronavirus cases have declined in the Navajo community. The latest figures from the Navajo Department of Health, in coordination with the Navajo Epidemiology Center and the Navajo Area Indian Health Service, reported 19 new COVID-19 positive cases, 6,893 recoveries and no recent deaths, according to a press release from the office of the President and Vice President of Navajo Nation.

Jonathan Nez, who was elected president of the tribal nation in 2018, implemented a lockdown order in April to curb the rising number of COVID-19 cases within the Navajo community.

“We have had curfews and we still have curfews today because we're not letting down. There's no vaccine,” President Nez told “Nightline.” “There's no cure for COVID 19. So we're not going to let down here.”

In addition to having 57 weekend curfews, tribal governments are working to improve access to water for many residents by allocating funds from the CARES Act into the community to get needed infrastructure....

An estimated 30% of people who live on the Navajo reservations do not have access to running water and turn to outdoor pumps to get their supply.

The lack of accessibility makes it more difficult to fulfill the constant handwashing necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic....