Author: Arlyssa Becenti

As of Friday evening, there are 1,540 total positive COVID-19 cases on the Navajo Nation, nearly one percent of the population. There are a total of 6,473 negative test results. Some 8,978 tests have been administered, with some test results pending. 

“I’ve been reading more and more and listening more and more about this particular virus. It is very fragile against soap and water, Johnson said. “So if you use soap, it destroys the protective layer around this virus and it’s very effective at doing that.”

The allocated $8 billion was intended to help tribal governments fight the COVID-19 pandemic under the Coronavirus Relief Fund.

But it was reported the Secretary of the Treasury intends to fund over 230 Alaska Native Corporations using the funds. Alaska Native Corporations are for-profit corporations organized under state law and are owned by shareholders, including non-Indian shareholders. 

During today’s town hall the Navajo Department of Health reported that the curve for COVID-19 looks to have flattened a bit, which is good news, but it also means continuing to abide by the health orders is a must in order to keep the numbers from increasing. The projected peak in cases is projected to happen in early to mid-May.

As of Monday there are 1,321 positive COVID-19 cases and 43 deaths on the Navajo Nation, and two deaths in border town cases. A total of 4,589 tests have returned with negative results.