Katherine Davis-Young/KJZZ

A sign warns Navajo Nation residents in July 2021 to stay home because of COVID-19.

The Navajo Department of Health on Wednesday reported 74 new cases of COVID-19, and five deaths attributable to the virus.

The Navajo Nation last year was among the hardest-hit communities by the pandemic. But since then, the situation has improved.

Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez says at least part of that is due to keeping the guidelines consistent, including a mask mandate and social distancing requirements. He also says he’s sticking with the 10-day isolation period for positive cases, even though the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently cut that length in half.

The Show spoke with President Nez earlier about the situation on the Navajo Nation, including testing and the availability of at-home tests.

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