User:Turtle002/COVID-19 pandemic in the Navajo Nation

April
By April 1, the Navajo Nation had fully vaccinated over half the population (88,891 of about 174,000). New cases and deaths were still occurring and the lockdown and curfew were still in place. Vaccines were available for all residents over age 16.

On April 18, one week had passed with no new deaths.

August
By August 4, the Navajo Department of Health had administered 252,276 doses of vaccine, with 121,045 people fully vaccinated. The seven day average of cases had risen tenfold, from a low of 4.2 cases per day on June 29 to 43 cases per day on August 5.

The daily curfew was lifted on August 6, but masks were still mandated and safely sheltering at home was still recommended.

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August
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As of August 25, there was a confirmed total of 32,372 cases and 1,399 deaths. Approximately 30,608 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.

September
As of September 30, there was a confirmed total of 33,995 cases and 1,447 deaths. Approximately 32,155 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.

October
As of October 31, there was a confirmed total of 36,817 cases and 1,487 deaths. Approximately 34,588 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.

November
As of November 30, there was a confirmed total of 39,477 cases and 1,542 deaths. Approximately 37,465 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.

December
As of December 30, there was a confirmed total of 41,399 cases and 1,588 deaths. Approximately 39,349 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.

January
As of January 31, there was a confirmed total of 49,766 cases and 1,616 deaths. Approximately 46,290 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.

February
As of February 28, there was a confirmed total of 52,431 cases and 1,648 deaths. Approximately 50,502 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.

March
As of March 31, there was a confirmed total of 53,046 cases and 1,732 deaths. Approximately 51,226 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.

April
As of April 29, there was a confirmed total of 53,427 cases and 1,763 deaths. Approximately 51,540 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.

May
As of May 31, there was a confirmed total of 54,226 cases and 1,788 deaths. Approximately 52,171 Navajo peoples were reported to have recovered from COVID-19.

June
As of June 30, there was a confirmed total of 57,248 cases and 1,811 deaths.

July
As of July 29, there was a confirmed total of 60,858 cases and 1,860 deaths.

August
As of August 30, there was a confirmed total of 71,746 cases and 1,884 deaths.

September
As of September 30, there was a confirmed total of 74,438 cases and 1,911 deaths.

October
As of October 27, there was a confirmed total of 75,873 cases and 1,932 deaths.

November
As of November 17, there was a confirmed total of 77,912 cases and 1,952 deaths.

December
As of December 9th, there have been a confirmed total of 79,516 cases, and a total of 1,968 deaths. There was 355 cases and 8 death increase from the week prior. Up to 70.5% of the population has completed the primary series of vaccination and only 17.4% are up to date.

Business
The Navajo Nation Gaming Enterprise stated that its properties will remain closed through June 7, 2020. The closure of casinos was later extended through July 5, 2020.

Voting
San Juan County, New Mexico, reduced the number of voting convenience centers from 32 to 9, and translators will only be available at four locations. While absentee voter turnout on the June 4, 2020, primary increased compared to 2016, not all Navajo voters had access to home mail delivery and absentee ballot instructions were not offered in Navajo translations.

Copied from COVID-19 pandemic in the Navajo Nation

Under Voting:

In 2022, the Navajo Nation Department of Health advised voters to wear masks, wash hands, maintain 6 feet of physical distance, have up-to-date vaccinations, and to stay home if they were experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Accommodations, such as curbside voting, early vote by mail, and ballot drop off options were made for voters with disabilities or voters experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.

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Vaccination Efforts
The Navajo Nation Community Health Representatives program has worked toward mitigating COVID-19 effects through educating the Navajo people about the virus. They have further supported vaccination efforts by providing trusted care services, which are culturally catered to the Navajo people.

Through the collaboration of the Navajo Nation Department of Health, Navajo Area Indian Health Service (IHS), and state public departments, the number of fully vaccinated Navajo people has increased significantly. In 2022, the IHS reported that vaccination roll out for Navajo children ages 5 to 11 has led to the vaccination of more than half of children in this age group.

Government Action
In March of 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was passed by Congress. The CARES Act allocated $714 million to the Navajo Nation. There were delays in the distribution of the funds to the Navajo Nation and restrictions were imposed on how the money could be used. A time limitation was set on the funds, where the Navajo people had to spend the funds by December 30th, 2020. As of October 20th, 2020, Navajo Nation advocates expressed that the funds had yet to reach the communities that would most benefit from it.

Funeral Services
The Navajo Division of Social Services COVID-19 Burial Assistance aided Navajo families whose loved ones passed from COVID-19. The Navajo Department of Health put safety guidelines in place for funeral services. A limit of 5 people were allowed to be present during a funeral service and face masks were required.

Under business:

On March 29, 2020, the Navajo Health Command Operations Center established business guidelines upholding safe and preventative COVID-19 measures. On April 26, 2021, The Navajo Health Command Operations Center shared reopening guidelines for tour businesses.

From the CARES Act fund, the Navajo Nation Council distributed $60,000,000 to its Division of Economic Develop (DED). Two grant programs, the Navajo Business Economic Relief Grant and the Navajo Artisans Economic Relief Grant, were created to financially relieve struggling Navajo small business and artisans. The DED distributed about $17,500,000 through 3,144 artisan grants and $11,000,000 through 1,192 business grants.