COPE COVID -19
Response

COVID-19 is taking a large toll on Navajo Nation, with cases in Navajo Region totaling more than all other regions in Indian Country combined. A strong, community-led response is needed to stop the spread.

COPE is uniquely positioned to contribute to the immediate and long-term response to COVID-19. Our approach of working alongside tribal leaders, our close connections to leading COVID-19 responders,
and our strong relationships within the communities where we work, enable us to effectively mobilize high-impact programs to help measure the spread of the virus and ensure social support for affected families and communities.

Join us in stopping the spread of the virus.

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The COPE team is coordinating and implementing a multi-faceted action plan to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 in both Gallup, New Mexico where our office is based as well as the surrounding tribal lands.

COPE is providing essential supplies on Navajo Nation, including hard-hit regions of Kayenta and Chilchinbito, and Nazlini and Dennehotso Chapters (pictured). COPE staff are conducting screenings, conducting referrals, and servicing the unsheltered in Gallup to limit COVID-19.

COPE is working in the following areas:

SHELTER

On-call support at community-led respiratory shelter at Gallup’s El Rancho Hotel, Motel 6, Howard Johnson, and Days Inn for patients with possible COVID symptoms and coordination with medical providers.

SUPPLIES

Providers: We are working with Navajo leadership and local health systems to address gaps in medical protective gear such as masks, gloves, gowns and hand sanitizer.

Families: By delivering food, water and essential goods such as livestock feed to quarantined communities on Navajo Nation, we are providing relief and help to limit community spread of COVID-19. We have donated 20+ tons of supplies to hotspot areas.

CARE

The COPE team’s medical providers are seeing vulnerable patients; on a systems-level, we are arranging to increase clinical capacity with emergency staffing in order to meet the surge in cases.

COPE is working on equipping healthcare workers with technology to conduct contact tracing, improve clinic-patient communication, and facilitate telehealth visits.

OUTREACH

Our communications team is developing accurate, culturally informed, clear and consistent information on COVID prevention and response.

We are coordinating with local partners to widely disseminate evidence-based messaging to our communities including grocery stores

Download outreach messaging here.

Press Coverage

COPE Executive Director Hannah Sehn and Research Director Sonya Shin are joined by Dr. Wei and Dr. Lozada from IHS to discuss our joint response to COVID-19 on Navajo Nation.

Volunteer clinicians from around the United States have responded to the COVID-19 crisis on Navajo Nation. COPE is meeting the needs of Navajo Nation by helping to match and coordinate these healthcare providers with the Indian Health Service.

The map below comes from the Navajo Epidemiology Center Coronavirus Response Hub. Each positive case of COVID-19 on Navajo Nation is broken down into counties.

See most up to date map at: https://navajo-nation-coronavirus-response-ndoh-nec.hub.arcgis.com/

For the more information:

Downloadable
COVID-19 Outreach Materials